Lead Planning Manager

Poutrix; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcadis seeks a Lead Planning Manager to spearhead the planning and scheduling team on a major infrastructure programme in London and the south of England. The role combines strategic planning, team leadership, client liaison and performance reporting to ensure delivery success.

You will drive continuous improvement, develop planning processes, and ensure compliance with industry standards while mentoring junior planners and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and clients.

Qualifications

• Essential: 10+ years in project planning and scheduling in major programmes.
• Degree/HNC/HND in Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• Strong understanding of UK mobility sector and delivery requirements.
• Ability to lead and develop teams in fast-paced environments.
• Proficient in Primavera P6 and MS Project.
• Experience with project controls, cost engineering, and financial operations.
• Familiarity with contracting environments and commercial models.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and scheduling team on a complex major infrastructure programme.
• Develop planning processes and standards to meet client requirements.
• Maintain baseline plans, WBS, and schedules aligned with delivery objectives.
• Monitor progress, identify variances, and implement recovery plans.
• Provide input into bids, estimates, and resource planning.
• Report earned value, progress, and performance for forecasting decisions.
• Analyse data to identify trends, risks, and anomalies.
• Audit contractor plans and ensure compliance with Network Rail procedures.
• Mentor and support planners, fostering skills development.
• Collaborate with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver value.
• Drive continuous improvement and adopt digital tools.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & scheduling

Client liaison

Performance reporting

Communication

Education

Degree/HNC/HND in Engineering or related

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Role description:

The Arcadis Mobility Programme Management & Commercial Management unit is seeking a highly skilled Lead Planning Manager to spearhead the planning and scheduling team on one of our major programmes in London and the south of England. This pivotal role combines strategic planning, team leadership, client liaison and performance reporting to ensure successful project delivery. You will play a key role delivering mobility (rail, highways and aviation) infrastructure and driving continuous improvement.

Role accountabilities:

• Lead the planning and scheduling team on a complex major infrastructure programme, ensuring robust project controls throughout the lifecycle.


• Development of planning processes/standards to meet client requirements


• Develop and maintain project baseline plans, work breakdown structures, and schedules aligned with delivery objectives.


• Monitor progress, identify variances, and implement recovery and contingency plans.


• Provide expert input into bids, estimates, and resource planning to support business growth.


• Report on earned value, progress, and performance to inform financial forecasting and decision-making.


• Analyse project and programme data to identify trends, risks, and anomalies.


• Ensure compliance with planning standards and lifecycle frameworks.


• Audit contractor plans and monitor adherence to Network Rail procedures.


• Mentor and support planners, fostering skills development and knowledge sharing.


• Collaborate with clients, multidisciplinary teams, and stakeholders to deliver value and build strong relationships.


• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes and adopt emerging digital tools.

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential

• 10+ year experience in project planning and scheduling, ideally within major aviation or infrastructure programmes.


• Degree/HNC/HND in Engineering, Project Management, or a related subject.


• Strong understanding of UK mobility sector and project delivery requirements.


• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a fast-paced environment.


• Proficient in planning software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project).


• Excellent organisational, commercial, and communication skills.


• Experience with project controls, cost engineering, and financial operations.


• Familiarity with different contracting environments and commercial models.

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional body.


• Broad understanding of rail, highways or aviation engineering, construction and investment planning systems.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.