Lead Scheduler

NUVIA; Retford; Hybrid; GBP 44,574 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

NUVIA UK is seeking an IMS Lead Scheduler to oversee the development, governance, and control of the Integrated Master Schedule across complex programmes and projects. The role coordinates inputs from multiple workstreams to deliver a single, coherent schedule that aligns with programme objectives.

The successful candidate will lead planning teams, drive best practices, and mentor junior planners, while navigating NEC contract environments within a UK defence and nuclear-focused portfolio.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Physics, Project Management, Construction Management, or equivalent experience.
• Expert knowledge of Integrated Master Scheduling principles and methodologies.
• Strong understanding of programme controls, planning governance, and scheduling best practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and maintenance of integrated project schedules across multiple disciplines (engineering, manufacturing procurement, construction, and commissioning).
• Coordinate and integrate planning inputs from multiple projects, workstream and IPT planners.
• Identify critical paths, key dependencies, and resource requirement.
• Promote best practices in Programme and project planning, and reporting.
• Develop and maintain a multi-tier IMS (L0–L4) capturing all Tokamak subsystems, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and programme phases deliverables.
• Ensure vertical and horizontal integration across all programmes schedule deliverables.
• Support the development of sequenced design, manufacturing, construction, assembly, and commissioning plans.
• Facilitate integrated planning sessions and ensure alignment across programme disciplines.
• Ensure alignment of schedules, dependencies, milestones, and deliverables across STEP Whole programmes.
• Conduct continuous critical path analysis and identify near-critical paths across engineering, manufacturing, and construction programmes.
• Lead and coordinate the alignment between Programme objectives, project plans, resource allocation, cost and deliverables.
• Mentor and guide junior planners, project managers, engineers, and technical leads on planning and scheduling development process.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in Programme and project planning.
• Promote planning and scheduling industrial best practices.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Schedule communication

Critical path analysis

Planning leadership

NEC contracts

Education

Engineering degree

APM/PMI-SP/PSP/PMI certifications

Job description

Location: West Burton (Hybrid)

Salary Banding: £44,574 - £65,000 (Dependant on experience)

We are actively recruiting on either a contract or permanent basis.

Description of job:

The IMS Lead Scheduler is responsible for the development, maintenance, governance, and control of the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) across complex programmes and projects. The role provides leadership and coordination across all planning activities, ensuring inputs from individual workstream planners are fully integrated into a single, coherent schedule that accurately reflects programme delivery objectives.

The postholder must possess a strong understanding of the fundamental principles of an Integrated Master Schedule and be able to view planning from both a strategic and operational perspective. Beyond the technical delivery of planning activities, the IMS Lead Scheduler is expected to understand the wider programme landscape, establish effective planning frameworks and ways of working, and drive best practice across the planning community. They will be responsible for bringing together multiple schedules, dependencies, assumptions, risks, and delivery milestones to provide a clear and comprehensive view of programme performance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and maintenance of integrated project schedules across multiple disciplines (engineering, manufacturing procurement, construction, and commissioning).
• Coordinate and integrate planning inputs from multiple projects, workstream and IPT planners.
• Identify critical paths, key dependencies, and resource requirement.
• Promote best practices in Programme and project planning, and reporting.
• Develop and maintain a multi-tier IMS (L0–L4) capturing all Tokamak subsystems, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and programme phases deliverables.
• Ensure vertical and horizontal integration across all programmes schedule deliverables.
• Support the development of sequenced design, manufacturing, construction, assembly, and commissioning plans.
• Facilitate integrated planning sessions and ensure alignment across programme disciplines.
• Ensure alignment of schedules, dependencies, milestones, and deliverables across STEP Whole programmes.
• Conduct continuous critical path analysis and identify near-critical paths across engineering, manufacturing, and construction programmes.
• Lead and coordinate the alignment between Programme objectives, project plans, resource allocation, cost and deliverables.
• Mentor and guide junior planners, project managers, engineers, and technical leads on planning and scheduling development process.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in Programme and project planning.
• Promote planning and scheduling industrial best practices.

Qualifications, experience and skills:

• Degree in Engineering, Physics, Project Management, Construction Management, or equivalent experience.
• Expert knowledge of Integrated Master Scheduling principles and methodologies.
• Strong understanding of programme controls, planning governance, and scheduling best practice.
• Ability to see the "big picture" and understand how individual workstreams contribute to overall programme delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder management and coordination skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to communicate complex schedule information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in critical path analysis, forecasting, performance reporting, and schedule risk management.
• Proven capability to lead planning teams within complex and highly integrated delivery environments.
• Experience in NEC form of contract.
• Professional certifications (APM, PMI-SP, PSP, PMP).

There has never been a more exciting time to join NUVIA UK. As a result of significant growth and major contract awards, including the STEP fusion programme and major frameworks supporting the UK's defence and nuclear infrastructure, we are expanding our capability and delivering some of the UK's most innovative and strategically important programmes. Operating across the nuclear, defence and energy sectors, our work supports critical national infrastructure, strengthens energy security and contributes to the UK's long‑term resilience.

From helping to deliver the UK's ambitious fusion energy programme to supporting major defence and nuclear infrastructure projects, our teams work at the forefront of complex, safety‑critical challenges. Our diverse portfolio offers the opportunity to develop specialist expertise, work alongside industry‑leading professionals and build a rewarding career while contributing to projects of national significance.

Join NUVIA and be part of a growing organisation where you can make a lasting impact on society, industry and future generations, while benefiting from meaningful career development.