Lead Planner (SC Cleared)

Cmr.london; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Merit-based progression

Capability matrix

Small team impact

Rewards culture

Job summary

CMR is recruiting a Lead Planner (SC Cleared) to join our Glasgow hybrid team on a full-time basis. You will lead the development and maintenance of robust construction schedules, aligning it with the project scope and delivery strategy.

Ideal candidates bring solid scheduling expertise (Primavera P6), experience at lead planner level, and strong communication skills to collaborate with cost, risk, procurement teams and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Solid scheduling expertise in construction or infrastructure.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and MS Office.
• Experience leading planners or schedule ownership.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and maintenance of robust, realistic and defensible construction schedules.
• Develop schedule estimates for construction works, ensuring they are aligned to the project scope, delivery strategy and key assumptions.
• Define the Basis of Estimate for the construction schedule scope, including key assumptions, exclusions and constraints.
• Provide planning leadership across the programme, ensuring schedule quality, logic, integration and governance are maintained.
• Work closely with Cost and Risk Management teams to ensure alignment of all estimates, assumptions and schedule impacts.
• Work with the Risk team to support the QSRA process.
• Identify and manage key internal and external interfaces including procurement, consents, dependent projects and delivery milestones.
• Work closely with key internal/external stakeholders ensuring buy-in to the Programme's construction schedule.
• Review supplier and contractor schedules, challenging logic, assumptions, progress and deliverability where required.
• Ensure schedule estimates are validated through the use of benchmark data, design information and BIM.

Skills

Scheduling expertise

Primavera P6

MS Office

Lead planner experience

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in construction/engineering/project management

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Position: Lead Planner (SC Cleared)

Location: Hybrid / Glasgow | Type: Full-time | Start Date: Immediate | Salary: Competitive

About us

CMR is an award winning project controls consultancy that is first and foremost a team of people, passionate about the construction industry and changing the way project controls is provided. Our approach and culture have been recognised globally, with CMR named Global Project Controls Small Business of the Year 2025 (Project Controls Expo UK Awards) and one of the UK's Best Workplaces in 2026 (Great Place to Work)

Our Purpose (Why we exist)

Inspiring new ways to help shape our construction industry.

Our Ambition (What we want to achieve)

Re-imagine project controls through a digital lens, being the obvious choice for clients and the place to grow together with intention.

What's in it for you?

• At CMR you will have the opportunity to professionally develop like nowhere you have worked before.
• If you demonstrate the capability, our merit based system will enable you to develop fast.
• We use our in-house capability matrix to transparently track your progression and highlight development areas.
• Join our small, dynamic team where every member has the chance to make a significant impact, shaping the future direction of our company and making a real difference.
• We believe in rewarding our team for their achievements, celebrating our successes but equally helping each other when things are tough.

Lead Planner Responsibilities

• Lead the development and maintenance of robust, realistic and defensible construction schedules.
• Develop schedule estimates for construction works, ensuring they are aligned to the project scope, delivery strategy and key assumptions.
• Define the Basis of Estimate for the construction schedule scope, including key assumptions, exclusions and constraints.
• Provide planning leadership across the programme, ensuring schedule quality, logic, integration and governance are maintained.
• Work closely with Cost and Risk Management teams to ensure alignment of all estimates, assumptions and schedule impacts.
• Work with the Risk team to support the QSRA process.
• Identify and manage key internal and external interfaces including procurement, consents, dependent projects and delivery milestones.
• Work closely with key internal/external stakeholders ensuring buy-in to the Programme's construction schedule.
• Review supplier and contractor schedules, challenging logic, assumptions, progress and deliverability where required.
• Ensure schedule estimates are validated through the use of benchmark data, design information and BIM.

Essential Experience

• In a construction or infrastructure environment.
• Solid scheduling expertise, including Primavera P6.
• Previous experience operating at Lead Planner level or as a senior planning professional with responsibility for schedule ownership and coordination.
• Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Confidence building schedules from first principles and reviewing supplier submissions.
• Understanding of schedule hierarchy, integration, governance and change control.
• Familiarity with NEC or FIDIC contracts.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to lead planning discussions with internal teams, clients, suppliers and key stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent in construction, engineering, project management, or related field.
• Knowledge of QSRA, design processes, and CDM.
• Experience in stakeholder management.
• Membership of APM, AACE, PMI or similar (with certifications).
• Experience using Power BI and other reporting/analytics tools.

Culture

• At CMR we have a strong culture driven by our 9 Core Principles. We look to build a community of people that share our values and ambitions.
• We're proud that 96% of our team say CMR is a "Great Place to Work" a reflection of our supportive culture, focus on people, and drive to do things differently.

Requirements and Location

Prior SC clearance is required. Glasgow / Hybrid working: 2 days a week on site.

Equality and Diversity Statement

CMR welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

CMR is Disability Confident Committed and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race.