Planner - Rail & Transportation

First Recruitment Group; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK seeks an experienced Senior Planner to join a prestigious Project Controls team. The role involves managing multi-million-pound transportation projects, providing planning advice, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should possess significant experience in Rail or Highway projects and be proficient in Primavera P6. Strong analytical and leadership skills are essential. This is a full-time role with an immediate start, offering a contract of 6 months.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Rail or Highway projects.
• Expertise in Primavera P6 and other project control systems.
• Strong understanding of design, procurement, construction, and commissioning processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of project planning and project controls across large transportation programmes.
• Develop, maintain, and present project and tender schedules using Primavera P6.
• Monitor project performance and implement Earned Value Management techniques.

Skills

Rail or Highway project experience

Project control systems proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management skills

Education

Degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering

Membership of APM

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Senior Planner – Transportation Division

Location: London / Birmingham / Manchester / Bristol (Flexible)

Contract Type: 6-month contract, Full-time (40 hours/week)

Start Date: ASAP

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

About the Role

Transportation Division is looking for an experienced Senior Planner to join our world‑class Project Controls team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on some of the UK’s largest and most complex transportation infrastructure projects, spanning rail and highway sectors.

You will play a key role in planning, monitoring, and controlling multi‑million‑pound projects, providing clear, timely information to project teams and clients. You will also mentor junior planners and support the adoption of best‑in‑class project controls practices.

Key Responsibilities

Lead all aspects of project planning and project controls across large transportation programmes.

Develop, maintain, and present project and tender schedules using Primavera P6.

Deliver periodic programme updates, highlighting changes, delays, and project risks.

Represent Project Controls at client progress meetings.

Provide clear planning advice to senior management and project teams.

Monitor project performance and implement Earned Value Management (EVM) techniques.

Identify deviations, slippages, and risks, escalating issues as necessary.

Prepare resource histograms and support workforce planning.

Supervise and mentor junior planners, allocating tasks and providing feedback.

Ensure adherence to commercial, financial, and contractual governance.

Build and maintain strong client relationships.

Essential Experience & Skills

Proven experience in Rail or Highway projects.

Strong knowledge of transportation engineering disciplines including:

• Signalling
• Track / P-Way
• Structures (bridges, tunnels, earthworks, buildings, platforms, gantries)
• Electrification & Plant
• Telecoms

Expertise in Primavera P6 and other project control systems.

Experience in multi-disciplinary engineering programme planning.

Strong understanding of design, procurement, construction, and commissioning processes.

Knowledge of schedule risk analysis, cost management, and claims handling.

Familiarity with NEC contracts and multi-million-pound project delivery.

Ability to work independently and provide leadership to junior staff.

Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.

Membership of APM (Association for Project Management).

Experience with large‑scale projects up to £50m.

Sector: Commercial, Admin & Office Support