Assosicate Director - Planning and Controls

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Cobham; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Cobham is seeking an Associate Director to lead the planning and project controls function for a major capital investment programme. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in complex capital programmes, proficiency in key planning tools, and strong stakeholder management skills. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £100k, hybrid working options, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Car allowance

Travel allowance

Bonus

Excellent benefits package

Qualifications

• Extensive experience on complex capital programmes (£100m+).
• Proven ability to lead planning functions across multi-phase programmes.
• Understanding of modern construction methodologies and digital delivery.

Responsibilities

• Manage the integrated master programme across all phases.
• Oversee earned value management and KPI reporting.
• Collaborate with delivery, commercial, and technical leads.

Skills

Planning and project controls experience

Stakeholder management

Change control

Risk management

Education

Degree in construction, engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Primavera P6

Asta Powerproject

MS Project

Job description

Associate Director - Planning & Project Controls

Location: Surrey (Hybrid)
Sector: Science, Research & Government Infrastructure
Salary: Up to £100k plus car, travel, bonus and an excellent benefits package

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Associate Director to lead the planning and project controls function on one of the UK's most strategically significant science and infrastructure programmes. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team delivering a once-in-a-generation investment into national biosecurity and animal health resilience.

You will play a key role in the successful delivery of a multi-year transformation of the Animal and Plant Health Agency campus in Surrey. This role offers the chance to contribute to a high-profile programme that directly supports public and animal health across the UK.

The Programme

The programme is a major capital investment into the UK's capability to detect, prevent, and respond to animal-borne disease - many of which pose a direct risk to human health.

Our client is overseeing the delivery of a new state-of-the-art science and research facility, alongside significant campus-wide redevelopment. The scope includes:

• Construction of cutting‑edge laboratories, technical spaces, and shared research infrastructure
• Refurbishment of key existing facilities
• Demolition of legacy assets
• Implementation of modern methods of construction (MMC) and digital command centres
• A campus-wide biodiversity and landscape enhancement strategy

This is a complex, multi-phase programme requiring integrated planning and robust project controls to ensure successful delivery over a five‑year+ horizon.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the integrated master programme across all phases of the SCAH programme
• Develop fully resource- and cost-loaded schedules using tools such as Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, and MS Project
• Oversee earned value management (EVM), performance tracking, and KPI reporting
• Conduct risk-based planning, scenario modelling, and time impact assessments to inform decision-making
• Collaborate with delivery, commercial, PMO, and technical leads to ensure alignment across workstreams
• Embed best practice planning and control methodologies across the programme
• Produce high-quality reporting outputs tailored to client, government, and executive stakeholders
• Support procurement strategy alignment, constructability planning, and digital reporting initiatives
• Mentor junior planners and foster a culture of excellence in programme management

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Extensive planning and project controls experience on complex capital programmes (£100m+), ideally in sectors such as science, healthcare, life sciences, or infrastructure
• Proven ability to lead planning functions across multi-phase programmes or portfolios
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, and associated planning tools
• Strong capability in EVM, change control, risk management, and integrated reporting
• Understanding of modern construction methodologies, digital delivery, and MMC principles
• Familiarity with NEC3/4 and other collaborative contracting forms
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Degree-qualified in construction, engineering, or a related discipline
• Professional membership (APM, CIOB, ICE, RICS, etc.) is advantageous

If you think that this is the role for you, please apply with your latest CV