At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning activities on complex construction projects and support successful delivery.
- Company: Join a leading specialist contractor with a strong reputation in data centres and mission-critical projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, healthcare, and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Excellent career progression opportunities within a growing company.
- Why this job: Work on landmark data centre developments and shape planning standards in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction planning and strong knowledge of planning software required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Walker & Sloan are partnering with a leading specialist contractor to recruit an experienced Senior Planner to join their growing planning team on one of the UK's most significant live data centre developments.
Our client has built an outstanding reputation for delivering technically complex projects across the data centre, defence, and energy sectors. With decades of specialist expertise and a strong pipeline of secured work, they continue to deliver some of the country's most challenging and high-profile construction projects.
This role will initially be based on a flagship data centre development in Hayes, where you'll play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of a major mission-critical programme while helping to shape planning standards across the wider business.
The Role
As Senior Planner, you'll lead planning activities across complex construction projects, supporting projects from tender stage through to successful completion. Working closely with operational, commercial, and pre-construction teams, you'll develop robust construction programmes, provide strategic planning advice, monitor project performance, and help identify opportunities to improve programme certainty and project delivery.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planner looking to work on technically demanding, high-value projects within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing and maintaining detailed construction programmes throughout the project lifecycle
- Producing tender, contract, and live project programmes aligned with client requirements
- Advising project teams on construction methodology, sequencing, logistics, and programme strategy
- Monitoring progress against programme and identifying risks, delays, and recovery opportunities
- Producing short-term programmes, progress updates, and programme reporting for internal and external stakeholders
- Supporting extension of time submissions through robust programme records and delay analysis
- Assisting bid teams with tender planning, logistics strategies, and construction sequencing
- Reviewing planning outputs to ensure consistency and high planning standards across projects
- Supporting and mentoring junior planners while promoting best practice across the planning function
- Working closely with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and senior management throughout project delivery
Candidate Profile
We're looking for an experienced construction planner who enjoys working on technically complex projects and can confidently influence project teams from pre-construction through to completion. You'll ideally have:
- Significant experience in construction planning within a main contractor environment
- Proven experience developing, managing, and reviewing complex construction programmes
- Strong understanding of construction methodology, sequencing, logistics, and programme risk
- Experience supporting tender, contract, and post-contract planning activities
- Knowledge of delay analysis, extension of time processes, and programme reporting
- Degree, HNC, or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Controls, or a related discipline
- Strong working knowledge of planning software such as ASTA Powerproject, Primavera P6, or Microsoft Project
- Professional membership with CIOB, RICS, APM, or similar would be advantageous
What's on Offer?
- Salary between £85,000 – £90,000
- Car allowance
- Competitive pension scheme
- BUPA Healthcare and Cash Plan
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eyecare vouchers
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Birthday leave
- Opportunity to work on one of the UK's landmark data centre developments
- Long-term career progression within a growing specialist contractor delivering nationally significant projects
If you're an experienced Senior Planner looking to play a key role on complex, high-value construction projects while progressing your career within a specialist contractor, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact Walker & Sloan for a confidential discussion.
Shortlisting is already underway, and interviews will be taking place shortly. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Senior Planner in Hayes employer: Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp
Walker and Sloan is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Head of Data and Analytics, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects that enhance data capabilities while benefiting from a culture that prioritises employee growth, continuous learning, and the integration of cutting-edge AI technologies. With a commitment to work-life balance and a hybrid working model, this role not only promises meaningful contributions to the media landscape but also supports your professional development in a forward-thinking agency.
Contact Details:
Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planner in Hayes
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Planner at Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner in Hayes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
