IT Programme Planner

SF Partners; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 35,817 - 48,216; Part time

Job summary

SF Partners is seeking an experienced Programme Planner on a 9-12 month interim contract in Birmingham with hybrid working (1 day on-site). You will develop and maintain detailed programme plans, manage milestones and dependencies, and provide clear progress updates to senior stakeholders across a complex programme.

The role requires proficiency in MS Project, strong analytical skills, and a PRINCE2/APM qualification or equivalent. IR35 status is Inside; pay is £30/hour via umbrella company.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in complex project, programme or portfolio planning.
• Experience developing work breakdown structures, schedules and critical‑path analysis.
• Strong understanding of dependencies, milestones, risks and resource planning.
• Experience on large, complex or high‑profile programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to present planning information to senior stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
• A recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or APM.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and monitor detailed programme plans and schedules.
• Identify key milestones, tasks, activities, dependencies and critical paths.
• Track programme progress and provide clear updates to project managers and senior stakeholders.
• Analyse planning data to identify risks, issues, trends and delivery opportunities.
• Support the resolution of scheduling conflicts, delays and resource constraints.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure plans are comprehensive, realistic and aligned with programme objectives.
• Provide advice on appropriate planning approaches, tools, processes and reporting.
• Introduce and promote best-practice planning standards, templates and controls.
• Support resource and capacity planning across the programme.
• Help develop planning capability through guidance, coaching and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Programme planning

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Risk management

Scheduling

Education

PRINCE2 or APM qualification

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Programme Planner Interim

Location: Birmingham - hybrid working, with 1 day per week onsite.

Contract Length: 9-12 months.

Rate: £30 per hour via umbrella company.

IR35 Status: Inside IR35.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Programme Planner to support the successful delivery of a complex programme. You will work closely with project managers, senior stakeholders and delivery teams to develop, maintain and monitor detailed programme plans.

The role will focus on defining key milestones, activities, dependencies, resources and outputs, ensuring progress is effectively tracked throughout the programme lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and monitor detailed programme plans and schedules.
• Identify key milestones, tasks, activities, dependencies and critical paths.
• Track programme progress and provide clear updates to project managers and senior stakeholders.
• Analyse planning data to identify risks, issues, trends and delivery opportunities.
• Support the resolution of scheduling conflicts, delays and resource constraints.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure plans are comprehensive, realistic and aligned with programme objectives.
• Provide advice on appropriate planning approaches, tools, processes and reporting.
• Introduce and promote best-practice planning standards, templates and controls.
• Support resource and capacity planning across the programme.
• Help develop planning capability through guidance, coaching and knowledge sharing.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in complex project, programme or portfolio planning.
• Experience developing work breakdown structures, schedules and critical‑path analysis.
• Strong understanding of dependencies, milestones, risks and resource planning.
• Experience working on large, complex or high‑profile programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to present clear, evidence‑based planning information to senior stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
• A recognised project management qualification, such as PRINCE2 or APM.