Lead Planner

Matchtech; North East; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsistence/accommodation support (3rd

Project-dependent

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking an experienced Lead Planner for a data centre construction project in Blyth, Northumberland. You will own the end-to-end programme, drive planning performance across the build, and provide clear reporting, critical path visibility, and proactive mitigation.

The role requires a degree in Engineering or Construction Management and 7+ years in project planning on large-scale construction projects, with Primavera P6 or MS Project.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management or similar.
• 7+ years' experience in project planning within construction/engineering.
• Strong track record managing programmes on large-scale construction projects.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project (or similar).
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and analytical skills.
• Solid understanding of construction sequencing, methodology and project delivery.
• Desirable: Data centre / mission-critical project experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead all planning and scheduling activities across the project lifecycle.
• Build, maintain and manage integrated project programmes aligned to delivery milestones.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Package Managers, design teams and subcontractors to align schedules.
• Track progress, identify delays and implement mitigation to protect key dates.
• Produce short-term and long-term construction schedules and phasing plans.
• Run schedule risk analysis and support programme risk/opportunity management.
• Chair / attend planning, progress and project review meetings.
• Provide progress reporting, programme updates and critical path analysis to senior stakeholders.
• Review subcontractor programmes and ensure alignment with the master programme.
• Support commercial/project teams with programme inputs for claims, variations and reporting.
• Maintain planning documentation and drive continuous improvement in planning tools/processes.

Skills

Project planning

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Construction sequencing

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Job description

Lead Planner
Data Centre Construction
Location: Blyth, Northumberland (On-site)
Type: Permanent
Salary: (DOE)
Vacancy: Lead Planner

Candidate must have full right to work in the UK. We are unable to assist with Visa Sponsorship
A leading data centre delivery / mission-critical construction contractor is looking for an experienced Lead Planner to join their project team in Blyth. You'll take ownership of the end-to-end programme, driving planning performance across the build and supporting project leadership with clear reporting, critical path visibility, and proactive mitigation.

What you'll be doing

• Lead all planning and scheduling activities across the project lifecycle
• Build, maintain and manage integrated project programmes aligned to delivery milestones
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Package Managers, design teams and subcontractors to align schedules
• Track progress, identify delays and implement mitigation to protect key dates
• Produce short-term and long-term construction schedules and phasing plans
• Run schedule risk analysis and support programme risk/opportunity management
• Chair / attend planning, progress and project review meetings
• Provide progress reporting, programme updates and critical path analysis to senior stakeholders
• Review subcontractor programmes and ensure alignment with the master programme
• Support commercial/project teams with programme inputs for claims, variations and reporting
• Maintain planning documentation and drive continuous improvement in planning tools/processes

What we're looking for

• Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Construction Management or similar
• 7+ years' experience in project planning within construction/engineering
• Strong track record managing programmes on large-scale construction projects
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project (or similar)
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and analytical skills
• Solid understanding of construction sequencing, methodology and project delivery

Desirable: Data centre / industrial / mission-critical project experience.

What's on offer

• Competitive salary package (up to £80,000)
• Career development and progression in a high-growth sector
• Collaborative team environment on a major project
• Potential subsistence/accommodation support (project-dependent)