Part-Time Microsoft Project Planner (Railway Engineering - M&E & Telecoms

ZipRecruiter; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK-based recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Project Planner for part-time work in Cardiff. The ideal candidate will manage project schedules, focusing on railway engineering projects. Strong expertise in Microsoft Project and knowledge of rail industry standards are essential. Hybrid work options and competitive rates are available.

Benefits

Competitive day rate

Hybrid working flexibility

Opportunity to work on high-profile projects

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project planning/scheduling for railway engineering projects.
• Strong expertise with Microsoft Project.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project schedules in Microsoft Project.
• Capture project scope and dependencies.
• Identify schedule risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

Skills

Project planning

Microsoft Project expertise

Knowledge of rail industry standards

Strong communication skills

Education

Relevant professional qualifications (APM, PMI)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Primavera P6

Job description

Overview

Location: Cardiff (South Wales) – hybrid working available

Employment Type: Part-time (permanent or contract)

Role Purpose

The Project Planner will provide planning and scheduling support to rail engineering projects, with a focus on mechanical & electrical (M&E) and telecommunications workstreams. Using Microsoft Project, you will develop and manage project schedules, coordinate with engineering teams, and support compliance with Network Rail and industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, update, and maintain project schedules in Microsoft Project for rail M&E and telecoms works.
• Capture project scope, work breakdown structures (WBS), dependencies, and critical path activities.
• Integrate schedules with procurement, design, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Work with project engineers, construction managers, and subcontractors to ensure accurate progress reporting.
• Identify schedule risks, slippage, and resource constraints, recommending mitigation strategies.
• Support the preparation of project progress reports, dashboards, and schedule submissions for clients.
• Coordinate with commercial teams to support cost forecasting, change management, earned value management (EVM) and programme performance tracking.
• Attend project and planning meetings, providing schedule advice to stakeholders.
• Support project close-out, lessons learned, and continuous improvement activities.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience in project planning/scheduling for railway engineering, M&E, or telecoms projects.
• Strong expertise with Microsoft Project (MSP).
• Knowledge of rail industry standards and processes, particularly Network Rail GRIP/PACE stages.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and align project schedules with possession/line access constraints.
• Understanding of NEC contract requirements and their impact on planning and reporting.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to liaise with engineers, contractors, and client representatives.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams).

• Desirable:
• Familiarity with Primavera P6 or other industry-standard planning tools.
• Knowledge of health & safety regulations within railway environments (e.g., CDM, Safe System of Work).
• Relevant professional qualifications (APM, PMI, or planning-specific certifications).
• PTS (Personal Track Safety) certification.

Working Pattern & Benefits

• Part-time hours (e.g., 2–3 days per week, or flexible hours to align with project milestones).
• Hybrid working: Cardiff office, occasional site presence, and remote working.
• Competitive day rate (contract) or pro-rata salary + benefits (permanent).
• Opportunity to work on high-profile UK rail projects, contributing to the modernisation of M&E and telecoms infrastructure.

Application

If you’re an experienced Project Planner with Microsoft Project expertise in railway engineering (M&E/Telecoms) and are seeking part-time opportunities within commuting distance of Cardiff, we’d love to hear from you.

Send your CV and a short cover letter to [e-mail]