Lead, Planning & Project Controls – Major Programmes

Movar Reply; Greater London, Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Movar Reply, as part of the Reply Group, seeks an Associate Director to lead planning and project controls across complex programmes. This full-time hybrid role offers office bases in London or Manchester, with responsibility for shaping frameworks, schedules, cost and risk management, and governance for senior stakeholder visibility.

You will develop data-driven insights, manage client relationships, contribute to proposals, and mentor a delivery team to ensure high-quality outcomes across

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading project planning and controls on large, multi-stakeholder programmes.
• Experience with cost and financial control within projects or programmes.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and inform actions.
• Knowledge of governance, assurance and audit principles.
• Understanding of programme-level risk and integration into plans.
• Experience building senior client relationships and developing opportunities.
• Experience leading or managing teams with a coaching approach.
• Proficiency with project/portfolio management tools and BI platforms.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Degree in engineering/finance/PM or related certification (APM/PMI/ACostE).

Responsibilities

• Lead one or more client engagements in planning and project controls across complex programmes.
• Shape project controls frameworks, integrated schedules, cost and risk management, governance and reporting.
• Use data-driven insight to monitor progress, identify variances, and propose corrective action.
• Develop and maintain key client relationships and identify new opportunities.
• Contribute to proposals and bids and help grow the Project Controls & PMO practice.
• Mentor and develop team members and support hiring and delivery quality.

Skills

Project planning leadership

Cost control & budgeting

Data analytics

Governance & audit

Risk management

Senior client relations

Team leadership

PM tools / BI

Stakeholder communication

Professional certification (APM/PMI/AC

Education

Engineering/Finance/PM degree

Tools

Primavera P6

BI platforms

Job description

Movar Reply, as part of the Reply Group, seeks an Associate Director to lead planning and project controls across complex programmes. This full-time hybrid role offers office bases in London or Manchester, with responsibility for shaping frameworks, schedules, cost and risk management, and governance for senior stakeholder visibility.

You will develop data-driven insights, manage client relationships, contribute to proposals, and mentor a delivery team to ensure high-quality outcomes across