Associate Director - Planning

AtkinsRéalis; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Planning Leader to join our Complex Projects team as an Associate Director, providing strategic leadership across major infrastructure programmes and growing planning capability.

You'll lead planning teams on complex programmes across rail, water, energy, defence, aviation and transportation, integrating schedule, cost and risk to drive informed decisions and client outcomes.

Qualifications

• Significant planning and project controls experience across major infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading planning teams in sectors like rail, water, defence, energy, or aviation.
• Strong knowledge of NEC contracts and programme requirements.
• Experience integrating schedule, cost and risk information.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication at senior levels.
• Experience mentoring planning professionals and developing talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning teams on complex infrastructure and capital delivery programmes.
• Establish, maintain and assure programme baselines supporting contractual obligations.
• Provide strategic planning advice and challenge to clients and project teams.
• Build trusted relationships with client leadership teams as a planning expert.
• Integrate schedule, cost and risk information to drive decisions.
• Lead programme assurance including schedule reviews and critical path analysis.
• Develop reporting and performance measurement frameworks including EVM.
• Oversee contractor schedules, baseline management and governance.
• Conduct delay analysis, scenario planning and recovery planning.
• Champion best practice, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor and develop planning professionals.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and capability development.

Skills

Leadership

Planning expertise

Client engagement

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Delay analysis

Earned Value

Education

Degree qualification or equivalent

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Overview

Shape the Future of Major Infrastructure Programmes.

Overview

Shape the Future of Major Infrastructure Programmes. Join AtkinsRéalis and play a leading role in delivering some of the UK's most complex and high-profile infrastructure programmes. We are seeking an experienced Planning Leader to join our Complex Projects team as an Associate Director. This is an exciting opportunity to lead people, influence major client decisions, grow capability and help shape the future of our Planning and Project Controls practice. You'll work across a diverse portfolio of major programmes spanning rail, water, energy, defence, aviation and transportation, collaborating with industry-leading professionals while helping our clients solve some of their biggest delivery challenges. Whether your aspiration is to grow a high-performing team, drive innovation in project controls, strengthen client relationships or contribute to business growth, you'll have the platform and support to make a real impact. Flexible and remote working are central to our culture, so talk to us about what matters most to you and how we can support your career ambitions both inside and outside of work.

Your role

• As an Associate Director, you will provide strategic leadership across major infrastructure programmes while supporting the growth and development of our planning capability.
• Lead planning teams on complex infrastructure and capital delivery programmes.
• Establish, maintain and assure programme baselines that support contractual obligations and performance management.
• Provide strategic planning advice and challenge to clients, project teams and senior stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships with client leadership teams and act as a recognised planning expert.
• Integrate schedule, cost and risk information to drive informed decision-making.
• Lead programme assurance activities including schedule reviews, critical path analysis and performance reporting.
• Develop advanced reporting and performance measurement frameworks, including Earned Value Management.
• Oversee contractor schedules, baseline management and schedule governance processes.
• Conduct delay analysis, scenario planning and recovery planning to support successful project outcomes.
• Champion best practice, innovation and continuous improvement within planning and project controls.
• Lead, mentor and develop high-performing planning professionals.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and capability development across the practice.
• Contribute to business development, work winning activities and the growth of AtkinsRéalis' Planning and Project Controls business.

About You

• We're interested in hearing from experienced Planning Leaders who combine technical excellence with strong leadership and client-facing skills.
• Degree qualification or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Significant planning and project controls experience across major infrastructure projects or programmes.
• Experience leading planning teams in sectors such as rail, water, defence, energy, transportation, aviation or other complex infrastructure environments.
• Strong working knowledge of Primavera P6 and scheduling best practices.
• Experience integrating schedule, cost and risk information to support effective programme management.
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts and programme requirements.
• Experience developing and assuring complex project and programme schedules.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to engage confidently at senior levels.
• Experience managing, mentoring and developing planning professionals.
• A collaborative leadership style and a passion for developing people.
• The ability to influence decision-making and build trusted client relationships.
• Experience with Earned Value Management and programme performance frameworks.
• Knowledge of delay analysis and forensic planning techniques.
• Experience supporting business development, strategic growth or work winning activities.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life. Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.

Additional information

Security Clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance. We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.