Innovative Planning Manager (Data Centres/Buildings/High-tech/Infrastructure) - UK (Hybrid)

Laminar Projects; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Scheme

Pension Scheme

Bonus Scheme

Professional body membership

Cycle to Work Scheme

In-house coaching

Equity upside

Flexible working

Relentless development

Job summary

Laminar Projects is seeking a senior leader in Birmingham. This role focuses on enhancing project delivery in complex settings, requiring strong project planning skills and a proven leadership background.

As part of our Project Management Consultancy, you will implement scalable solutions, mentor your team, and develop best practices to ensure project success. The position offers flexible working arrangements and a culture of continuous development.

Qualifications

• Mastery in all aspects of construction project planning.
• Strong communication skills to influence team adoption of new approaches.
• Proven leadership in coaching and developing teams.
• Experience with impactful project solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own the project plan and ensure effective execution.
• Encourage team adherence to project outcomes.
• Provide actionable reports to stakeholders.
• Develop scalable best practices collaboratively.
• Maximize the development of team members.

Skills

Solid construction project planning capability

Charisma and influence

Leadership skills

Track record of implementing scalable solutions

Job description

The Role

Purpose of the role

You will be enhancing the delivery of the most complex and interesting projects in the world through the power of project planning. You will be a senior leader in our team pushing the discipline to new heights not only within Laminar but within the industry in general.

Your Team

This role is part of our Project Management Consultancy focused on understanding the real problems of projects, implementing the best solutions, and developing scalable best practices, tools, and technology. You will join our Project Planning Discipline Team, with the initial leader being one of our planning discipline directors.

Your Top 3 Objectives

• To make construction projects deliver to near perfection
• To create scalable and repeatable solutions to common problems
• To develop yourself and everyone around you

Your Top 5 Responsibilities

• Own the plan: Own the project plan for one or more projects and ensure that the project is working to it effectively. Ensure delays are mitigated and managed commercially.
• Own the outcome: You may not be the project manager ultimately responsible for the results, but you are fully responsible for putting in your best effort to ensure the project’s understanding and focus on the plan no matter how stubborn they are.
• Report and inform: Provide simple actionable reports to stakeholders at all levels that help them deliver their part of the project more efficiently and effectively.
• Make scalable solutions: Develop scalable and repeatable best practices and tools in collaboration with the team so that long‑term impact is achieved.
• Develop everyone: Maximise the development of your team personally and professionally and educate our clients to improve as well.

Must‑Have (The fundamentals)

• Mastery: Solid construction project planning capability in all aspects, taking into account strategic objectives and the broad context you are operating in.
• Communication: The charisma, influence and presence to get construction people to adopt new approaches.
• Leadership: A proven leader, coach, and developer of teams.
• Impact: A track record of implementing scalable and repeatable solutions in projects that had a significant positive impact.

Cultural Fit

Laminar isn’t the place for you if any of the following is true:

• You want an easy, chilled‑out role without much challenge.
• You like to be the smartest person in the room.
• You don’t like continuously receiving honest candid feedback.
• You prefer to do your own thing rather than work with a team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of projects would I be working on?

Projects include data centres, infrastructure (defence, rail, highways), high‑tech (advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors), and complex building projects. They are dynamic, hands‑on environments designed for people who want to be challenged.

Who are our clients?

Major owners/operators and main contractors with project values ranging from £1 million to over £1 billion globally.

Where would I be working?

Work is flexible. You may work from home, travel to sites, visit our London office, or travel internationally to client sites depending on the project and your personal preferences.

How does what I do connect with the long‑term impact?

You will document new solutions and evolve existing ones into our knowledge repository, which is openly shared with the industry. The knowledge you capture will help build new products, which you will test in the field to rapidly iterate and improve them for the wider industry.

Benefits

The standard stuff

• Health Insurance Scheme – comprehensive private health coverage for you and your family.
• Pension Scheme – competitive plan with salary‑sacrifice options.
• Bonus Scheme – discretionary bonus based on performance, with cash and equity options.
• Professional body membership – one fee covered per year.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – tax‑efficient way to own a vehicle.

The life‑changing stuff

• In‑house coaching – regular one‑to‑one coaching sessions to help navigate challenges and grow personally and professionally.
• Equity upside – generous equity scheme for long‑term stay.
• Flexible working – most team members work from home, visiting sites or clients as needed.
• Relentless development – coaching, mentoring, honest feedback, and a culture that challenges you to level up.