Planning Manager

Cobalt Recruitment; Beckingthorpe; On-site; GBP 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Annual bonus up to 15%

Private medical insurance

Generous pension contribution

Life assurance

25 days annual leave

Wellbeing days

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment is seeking an experienced Planning Manager for a major Defence Programme in the East Midlands. You will lead planning across a portfolio of new-build and refurbishment projects, producing robust programmes and coordinating with senior stakeholders in a secure environment.

You’ll own project controls, drive continuous improvement, and mentor junior planners while delivering high-quality planning outcomes for critical defence infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Significant experience planning major construction projects.
• Proven ability to work under various forms of construction contracts.
• Expertise using Primavera P6 in live projects.
• Strong understanding of CPA and project controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop project planning strategies for pre-construction and live projects.
• Produce and maintain detailed programmes using Primavera P6.
• Coordinate with project teams to optimise construction methodologies.
• Monitor performance against contractual programmes and report progress.
• Lead planning meetings and coordinate updates across the team.
• Carry out delay analysis and maintain programme records.
• Coordinate 4D BIM planning activities with the BIM team.
• Mentor junior planning professionals and drive process improvements.

Skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

PowerPoint

4D BIM software

Tools

Primavera P6

4D BIM software

Job description

Planning Manager - Major Defence Programme

Location: East Midlands (Rutland)

Salary: Up to £110,000 + 15% Bonus + Excellent Benefits

Working Pattern: Hybrid / Site-Based

The Opportunity

We're partnering with one of the UK's leading construction and infrastructure businesses to recruit an experienced Planning Manager for a flagship Defence Programme in the East Midlands.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in the successful delivery of a high-profile, long-term public sector programme involving the construction and refurbishment of critical defence infrastructure. You'll lead the planning function on a complex project, working alongside senior stakeholders in a secure, highly regulated environment where planning excellence is fundamental to project success.

If you're looking for a role that offers genuine project complexity, long-term security, and an outstanding salary and benefits package, we'd love to hear from you.

The Programme

You’ll provide planning leadership across a portfolio of new-build and refurbishment projects, including:

• Modern living, working and training facilities
• Specialist military and operational buildings
• Secure storage and logistics infrastructure
• Sustainable infrastructure delivered within live operational environments

The Role

As Planning Manager, you'll take ownership of programme strategy and project controls, ensuring robust planning processes are implemented throughout the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing project planning strategies for both pre-construction and live projects.
• Producing and maintaining detailed project programmes using Primavera P6.
• Working closely with project teams to develop efficient construction methodologies and delivery strategies.
• Monitoring project performance against contractual programmes and reporting progress to senior stakeholders.
• Producing planning reports, dashboards and project controls information.
• Supporting the development of short and medium-term programmes.
• Leading planning meetings and coordinating programme updates across the project team.
• Assessing change events, delays and programme impacts.
• Carrying out delay analysis and maintaining accurate programme records.
• Coordinating 4D BIM planning activities alongside the BIM team.
• Promoting programme ownership across project teams.
• Mentoring and supporting junior planning professionals.
• Driving continuous improvement across planning processes and procedures.

About You

We're looking for an experienced construction planner with strong technical planning expertise and excellent stakeholder management skills.

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex planning information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills, including formulas and Pivot Tables.
• Strong PowerPoint skills.
• Experience using 4D BIM software.

Essential Knowledge

• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing and project delivery.
• Knowledge of pre-construction processes and procurement routes.
• Good understanding of standard construction contracts and commercial principles.
• Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of Critical Path Analysis (CPA) and project controls.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience planning major construction projects.
• Experience working under various forms of construction contract.
• Proven experience using Primavera P6 in a live project environment.
• Experience across multiple construction sectors is desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Confident challenging programme assumptions where appropriate.
• Collaborative approach with excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical, organised and solutions-focused.
• Committed to delivering high-quality planning and project controls.

What's on Offer?

• Basic salary up to £110,000
• Annual bonus of up to 15%
• Car allowance
• Generous employer pension contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell additional days
• 3 additional wellbeing days
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support, counselling and coaching
• Discounted gym membership at over 2,500 UK locations
• Industry-leading parental leave
• Long-term career progression with one of the UK's leading infrastructure organisations

If you're an experienced Planning Manager looking to work on one of the UK's most significant defence construction programmes, we'd love to speak with you.