Lead Project Planner

JR United Kingdom; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy seeks an experienced SC Cleared Lead Project Planner for a critical Defence programme in Fixed Connectivity. The role involves developing and managing comprehensive programme plans, ensuring robust delivery according to MOD standards. Ideal for a strong Project Manager with extensive planning experience, with opportunities to mentor junior staff and engage with key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Project Planner or strong Project Manager with planning leadership.
• Familiar with Defence/MOD planning and scheduling.
• Ability to develop actionable plans aligned with governance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate planning sessions to build a comprehensive programme plan.
• Manage task dependencies, risks, and report on complex schedules.
• Support and mentor junior team members in planning.

Skills

Planning leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Schedule analysis

Risk mitigation

Integrated programme management

Job description

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SC Cleared Lead Project Planner (defence)

WFH/Hybrid -2 days in Corsham, United Kingdom - £550 per Day (inside IR35)

Job Description:

We are partnering with a specialist consultancy to recruit an experienced SC Cleared Lead Project Planner for a critical Defence sector programme focused on Fixed Connectivity.

This role is ideal for a strong Project Manager with extensive planning experience or a senior planner ready to take the lead. You will drive the development, coordination, and reporting of complex programme plans, ensuring robust project delivery against MOD standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and facilitate planning sessions with key stakeholders to build a comprehensive programme plan
• Define and sequence activities to achieve key project milestones
• Identify and manage task dependencies, assumptions, and risks
• Develop, maintain, and report on resource-loaded schedules, including risks and dependencies
• Conduct routine performance analysis (schedule health, risk activity, dependency management)
• Undertake critical path analysis and variance reporting against baseline
• Create and maintain an Integrated Master Schedule and Plan on a Page for Fixed Connectivity
• Coordinate monthly Plan on a Page reviews, ensuring stakeholder engagement and assurance
• Provide detailed narrative reporting on programme performance against baselines to governance bodies
• Support and mentor junior team members to enhance planning capability across the programme

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience working as a Project Planner or strong PM with planning leadership experience
• Deep familiarity with planning, scheduling, and reporting in a Defence/MOD environment
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Expertise in schedule analysis, risk mitigation planning, and integrated programme management
• Ability to create detailed, actionable plans aligned with programme governance
• Experience developing risk mitigation plans and embedding them into schedules
• Familiarity with Fixed Connectivity projects or telecommunications within the MOD context