Lead Project Planner

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Project Planner to oversee the planning team for cutting-edge design projects in the power sector. This role requires expertise in Primavera P6 and experience with complex programmes. The successful candidate will manage schedules, mitigate risks, and mentor junior planners. Competitive salary and benefits package offered.

Benefits

Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 12.5%

Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum

Pension – 12% employer contributions and 6% employee

28 days holiday (+ public holidays)

Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover

Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay

£250 for new starters for home office purchases

Qualifications

• Experience in a planning team environment is crucial.
• Understanding of integrated programmes is essential.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 is required.
• Experience with complex programmes is a must.
• Familiarity with engineering design maturity is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning team and ensure schedules are realistic.
• Lead team in developing and managing detailed project schedules.
• Monitor project progress and identify potential risks.
• Conduct regular reporting and prepare updates for management.
• Mentor and support junior planners for professional growth.

Skills

Experience of working in a planning team environment

Knowledge and experience of working within an integrated programme

Knowledge and experience of Primavera P6

Knowledge and experience of working on complex programmes

Knowledge and experience in Engineering design maturity

Job description

Role Title: Lead Project Planner

Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington, Hybrid Working

We anticipate paying a salary of £57,600 - £72,000

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR and we’re doing something that’s never been done before. We’re revolutionising an industry. That’s a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

We are now recruiting for the exciting role of Lead Project Planner, to be involved in industry‑leading, cutting‑edge design project for a new type of power station.

What you will do

• The Lead Planner is responsible for overseeing the planning team, ensuring that schedules are realistic, achievable, and aligned with business objectives. This role involves leading a team of planners, coordinating with cross‑functional departments, and providing strategic insights to support decision‑making and project delivery.
• They will oversee a team that will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing detailed project schedules using planning tools such as Primavera P6. They will lead planning meetings and workshops with the planning team and other stakeholders to gather input and ensure alignment on project timelines.
• They will monitor project progress, identify potential risks or delays, and propose effective mitigation strategies to keep projects on track. Regular reporting will be a key part of Lead Planner role, including the preparation of dashboards and updates for senior management that highlight key milestones, schedule variances, and forecasts.
• They will ensure that planning standards, procedures, and best practices are consistently applied across all projects. In addition, they will mentor and support junior planners, providing guidance and training to help them grow professionally.
• They will also support resource planning and allocation to optimise efficiency and productivity across projects.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a planning team environment
• Knowledge and experience of working within an integrated programme
• Knowledge and experience of Primavera P6
• Knowledge and experience of working on complex programmes
• Knowledge and experience in Engineering design maturity

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we’ll let you in on a secret: there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector‑jump, please get in touch, we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Pay and Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary of between £57,600 - £72,000 DOE plus:

• Bonus – Performance related target opportunity 12.5%
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 per annum, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension – 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays – 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance – 6x pensionable pay
• £250 – One‑off payment for new starters for home office purchases

Company Related

We are Rolls‑Royce SMR

Rolls‑Royce SMR is a rare employer because it blends the world‑class brand of Rolls Royce with an exciting start‑up that has a hugely challenging mission. We’re doing work that contributes to the survival of the planet. Because of our mission, there’s a pace and energy that is palpable, and our leaders draw you in with their passion, energy, and determination.

We’re one of a handful of employers who can genuinely say we’re a strengths‑based organisation – our people are here because of what makes them great, and our job is to help them make the best contribution of their careers doing work they love.

The start‑up mentality coupled with our strengths‑approach to people means there are opportunities to grow in ways and jobs you probably would be barred from doing in more traditional companies.

Each Rolls‑Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues.

Our Culture

At Rolls‑Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge.

Rolls‑Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day and help shape our culture.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we’ll let you in on a secret: there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector‑jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check