Senior Planner in Ware

Remarkable people, trusted by clients to design and advance the world. Wood have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planner to join our team on a fixed term basis for 12 months. This position is based at our clients' offices in Ware, Hertfordshire, and we are open to both fixed‑term staff and PSC applicants.

The Role

You will prepare, review and report accurate project schedules and plans to ensure robust control of projects throughout their life cycle. This includes preparing and submitting project schedules and plans that meet the required level of detail and accuracy in accordance with contractual requirements and Wood policies, procedures, and standards. Additionally, you will support the management and development of the Planning team, manage project schedules and plans, and prepare and file project planning documentation. As a Senior Planner you may act as the focal point for several project scopes.

Why join Process & Energy?

The P&E part of the business, which sits in the Operations part of the business, can offer a wide range of opportunities to develop your skills across a portfolio of onshore projects in different sectors. Our current portfolio includes green hydrogen, fuel switching, and supporting local clients with energy transition. We also work on UK refineries, petrochemical facilities, fine chemicals and pharmaceutical facilities. Several clients we work with are designing pilot plants to test new technologies, partnering with them as they move to design and build full‑scale commercial facilities. We have some of the best engineers in the UK and high expectations on the performance of the project teams.

What We Can Offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to leaders of industry across renewables and emerging energy sectors.
• Flexible working arrangements that balance client, team, and individual needs, offering hybrid and remote working where relevant.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business.
• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market.
• Flexible benefits package; inclusive of 33 days annual leave (including public holidays), generous contributory pension scheme, private medical cover, 4x base salary life insurance, and other benefits that can be adapted to suit you.
• Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests.
• Global connections; join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession.

Responsibilities

• Review and maintain planning control structures that are developed and maintained in alignment with approved project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Review and maintain baseline project plans and schedules using appropriate scheduling software.
• Monitor and control planning activities through all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Liaise with engineering, procurement, construction functions, and others (including third parties) to maintain awareness of project activities, their status, and their impact on the project schedule and manpower requirements.
• Provide copies of project plans and schedules in accordance with project reporting requirements.
• Provide copies of project progress and performance status reports in accordance with project reporting requirements.
• Review and issue updates to project plans and schedules.
• Review and issue updates to project manpower requirements.
• Monitor and assess schedule impact of change notifications.
• Monitor and review overall project progress status, achievement of major milestones, and evaluate project performance in relation to planned performance.
• Attend internal project progress and performance status meetings as required.
• Liaise with cost discipline to ensure accurate and timely control and forecasting of man‑hour budgets and ensure that the impact of all change requests are properly assessed and included in the schedules.
• Participate in schedule risk analysis as required.
• Participate in Project Controls Compliance and Continuous Improvement Reviews.
• Play an active role in the mentoring and career development of Planning personnel.

Responsible For Ensuring That

• Project schedules are maintained in accordance with approved contract and project Work Breakdown Structure.
• Project plans and schedules are issued in accordance with contract reporting calendar and on an as‑required basis.
• All project schedules are fully logic linked and show the critical path and total float for all activities.
• The project schedule is baselined at the time of approval by the client of funding for the project.
• All project schedules contain resources in accordance with the corporate standards.
• Work pack delivery milestones are clearly identified within the project schedules.
• A standard set of agreed milestones is maintained within both the schedule and the cost reporting database.

Qualifications

• ISCED level 6 (Bachelors) Degree in a relevant technical or business discipline (or equivalent gained through relevant vocational training and/or industry experience).
• Relevant scheduling / planning experience.
• Competent in Primavera P6 and other scheduling software and related tools and techniques including Logic and CPM analysis, resource loading and leveling.
• Advanced knowledge of Project Execution Procedures for Scheduling.
• Understanding of WBS & CBS structures and project reporting capabilities.
• Ability to develop project schedules and plans.
• Advanced ability to prepare resource loading, progress and staffing plans.
• Excellent understanding of earned value application, cost and schedule variance analyses/trending, and what‑if scenarios.
• Understanding of project management principles and techniques.
• Strong understanding of Cost Management, Change Control, Planning & Risk Analysis & Management.
• Prior experience in a senior planning role.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates commitment to Wood Values, Vision & Behaviours.
• Applies analytical and statistical evaluation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and changing priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Strong communication skills both written and oral.
• Uses initiative, experience and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates effective organization & project planning skill.

Please note that all employment is subject to completion of mandatory pre‑employment screening checks relevant to this role.

About Us

Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in 45 countries, employing around 25,000 people.

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non‑exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.