Senior Planner - #2168709

Planner - Senior Planner - Planning Manager – West Midlands – Hybrid – Permanent 37.5 hours per week – £43,000 - £70,000 doe – Willing to undergo SC Clearance

Company culture & job summary

Our client is hiring multiple Planners, Senior Planners and Planning Managers to join their Complex Projects team, working on high-profile defence manufacturing programmes across the Midlands. There are several roles available at different levels, based in Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham.

You’ll need solid experience building and managing schedules, strong knowledge of Primavera P6 or MS Project, and ideally a background in defence, rail or engineering.

Working pattern & location

Derby: Fully on site

Nottingham & Birmingham: hybrid (3 days on site per week)

The Key Responsibilities of a Senior Planner - Planning Manager:

• Build and manage complex project schedules, interfaces, and stakeholder engagement from end to end.
• Maintain and manage baselines to support contractual requirements and performance metrics.
• Lead planning meetings and workshops to challenge project progress and drive performance.
• Manage contract schedule requirements and ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Produce advanced Earned Value Management reporting and other hierarchical schedule outputs.
• Integrate schedule, cost, and risk data to provide a consolidated view of project performance.
• Conduct critical path analysis and scenario planning to identify risks and improve efficiencies.
• Perform expert delay analysis and provide scheduling advice to project and commercial teams.

Below is a list of Key Skills required for a Senior Planner - Planning Manager, however you will not be expected to have everything:

• Proven experience as a Senior Planner or Planning Manager on complex engineering or defence projects.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 and/or MS Project for schedule build and management.
• Strong working knowledge of Earned Value Management and hierarchical reporting.
• Experience integrating schedule, cost, and risk functions within a project controls environment.
• Proficient in delay analysis techniques and critical path evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of NEC contracts and their application in project management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across diverse project teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The client would also like to see some of the below, but this is not essential:

• Background in rail, defence, energy, or manufacturing sectors.
• Familiarity with structured schedule governance frameworks such as Network Rail's 14-point checks.
• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Project management certification such as PMP or PMI-SP.
• Experience working in a consultancy environment across multiple concurrent projects.

Our clients Offer a range of benefits for permanent workers. As well as an excellent salary you will receive the following:

• Pension up to 10% client contribution.
• Life assurance, income protection insurance and critical illness cover.
• Option to buy & sell holiday.
• Dental, health, medical, travel and gadget insurance.
• 24/7 Digital GP.

Our client is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Part-time opportunities/flexible working is available to suit individual needs.

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You will be required to hold a minimum of SC Clearance. If you do not hold an active SC Clearance, please familiarise yourself with the vetting process before applying.

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