Lead Planner - Regional Civils

Balfour Beatty; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smart working

25 days annual leave

Pension plan

Share incentive plan

Job summary

Balfour Beatty is seeking an experienced Lead Planner in the Exeter region to shape the delivery of diverse civil engineering projects. You will drive detailed programmes, guide tender and pre-construction activity, and partner with project teams to ensure robust planning from start to finish.

The role requires leadership, strong planning software skills (Primavera P6), and a proactive approach to risk management. Hybrid working with some on‑site requirements is available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Planning Manager or Senior Planner in civil engineering or infrastructure.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with proactive risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of detailed project programmes across multiple civil engineering schemes.
• Provide strategic planning support during tender and pre-construction stages.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain programme targets.
• Work closely with delivery teams to align planning, design and construction activities.
• Analyse programme performance and prepare reports for senior management and clients.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning standards, processes and tools across the regional civils team.
• Mentor and support junior planners to develop a high‑performing planning function.

Skills

Planning leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering / Construction / Project management qualification

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

About the role

Shape the future of infrastructure with one of the UK’s leading construction and engineering organisations. Balfour Beatty’s Regional Civils team is seeking an experienced and driven Lead Planner to support the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of civil engineering projects across the region.

This is a key leadership role where you will be instrumental in driving project performance through effective planning, programming, and strategic insight. Working across multiple schemes, you will collaborate with project teams, clients, and stakeholders to ensure robust planning processes are in place from pre-construction through to delivery.

What you'll be doing

As a Lead Planner you will:

• Lead the development and management of detailed project programmes across multiple civil engineering schemes




• Provide strategic planning support during tender and pre-construction stages




• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain programme targets




• Work closely with delivery teams to ensure alignment between planning, design, and construction activities




• Analyse programme performance and produce regular reports for senior management and clients




• Drive continuous improvement in planning standards, processes, and tools across the regional civils team




• Mentor and support junior planners, fostering a high‑performing planning function.

Who we're looking for

You will have the following:

• Proven experience in a Planning Manager or Senior Planner role within civil engineering or infrastructure




• Strong expertise in project planning software (e.g. Primavera P6 or equivalent)




• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with a proactive approach to risk management




• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities




• Ability to work across multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment




• A relevant qualification in engineering, construction, or project management (preferred).

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.


• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)


• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave


• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

With a strong track record of delivery, our civils teams connect communities through infrastructure projects in the highways, public realm, rail, flood and coastal defence, and industrial sectors across England and Wales.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We're making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we've got more to do. Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We are committed to our processes being barrier‑free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments.

We're looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via [e-mail]