Planning Manager

Carmichael UK; Chard Town; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Carmichael UK is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead the Planning Team on major UK infrastructure schemes, including offshore wind connections, substations and underground cables. You will develop robust baselines from first principles with hands-on site delivery experience.

You will mentor planners, drive best practice, manage resources, and ensure programmes align with commercial and contractual requirements while supporting tender submissions and delivery objectives.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or Construction Management.
• Senior Planner or Planning Manager on large UK infrastructure projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and/or Asta Powerproject.
• Strong Excel and reporting skills; NEC3/NEC4 knowledge.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning activities across several major infrastructure projects.
• Drive consistency and best practice across planning teams and project portfolios.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and professional development support to planners.
• Promote effective planning processes that enable successful project outcomes.
• Define project scope, programme assumptions, constraints and delivery drivers.
• Monitor project critical paths, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Skills

Programme management

Critical path analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Reporting

Resource planning

Education

Civil/Construction Engineering degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Asta Powerproject

Excel

Job description

An exciting Inside IR35 opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Planning Manager who has a proven track record of managing the Planning Team on major UK infrastructure schemes.

This role offers the chance to lead programme delivery across a portfolio of high-profile energy projects, including offshore wind connections, substation developments and underground cable installations. These projects are helping shape the UK's future energy network.

You will oversee a team of planners delivering planning and scheduling solutions across multiple projects nationwide. Planning professionals with the ability to develop robust baseline construction programmes from first principles, supported by hands-on site delivery experience, will be particularly well suited to this position as t his opportunity is ideal for an individual who has progressed from a site-based role such as Sub Agent or Agent into a successful career as a Senior Planner or Planning Manager, bringing both operational understanding and planning expertise to the table.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead planning activities across several major infrastructure projects, ensuring programmes align with business objectives and project delivery requirements.
• Drive consistency and best practice across planning teams and project portfolios.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and professional development support to planners at all levels.
• Promote effective planning processes that enable successful project outcomes.

Programme Development & Delivery

• Define project scope, programme assumptions, constraints and key delivery drivers.
• Develop and oversee detailed project programmes, reports and planning deliverables.
• Support tender submissions through the development of effective planning and delivery strategies.
• Ensure programmes remain aligned with commercial requirements, contractual obligations and delivery objectives.
• Monitor project critical paths, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies where required.
• Manage resource planning, including labour, plant, equipment and materials.
• Support subcontractor and supplier programme management activities.
• Analyse performance data, KPIs and project progress to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience developing, managing and maintaining fully resourced project programmes from concept through to completion.
• Strong capability in creating strategic tender programmes and presenting planning solutions to key stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing contract programmes on large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of critical path methodology, change management and programme risk analysis.
• Ability to produce clear planning reports, progress updates and performance metrics for senior leadership teams.
• Experience mentoring and developing planning professionals.
• Effective communicator who can collaborate with project, engineering, commercial and client teams.
• Committed to continuous improvement and driving planning excellence across project delivery teams.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline preferred.
• Demonstrable experience in a Senior Planner or Planning Manager capacity on major UK infrastructure projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and/or Asta Powerproject, together with strong Excel and reporting skills.
• Sound knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts, Earned Value Management (EVM), QSRA and risk analysis methodologies.
• Ability to work autonomously while also leading and collaborating within a fast-paced project environment.
• Strong analytical skills with a proactive approach to identifying programme risks and opportunities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.