Planning Manager

Balfour Beatty plc; Elgin; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Site Allowances

Company Car

Subsistance Allowances

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is seeking a Planning Manager in Elgin to lead strategic planning and scheduling for flagship construction projects within the Power Transmission & Distribution sector.

You will drive best planning practices, mentor the planning team, and ensure timely delivery while coordinating with stakeholders and subcontractors. A strong background in complex projects and risk management is essential.

Qualifications

• Analytical and problem‑solving focused on schedules and delivery.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project, Time Location software and MS Office.
• Strong understanding of construction management principles and change control.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and scheduling across multiple construction projects.
• Drive best planning practices across the portfolio.
• Mentor and develop the planning team to deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Identify planning scope, constraints and procurement/contract influences.
• Oversee development of programmes, reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Manage resources, contracts with subcontractors and data-driven progress tracking.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Scheduling

Leadership

Contract Management

Risk Management

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Financial Acumen

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Time Location software

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty is a leading infrastructure group with capabilities in construction services, support services, and infrastructure investment.

Our Power Transmission & Distribution business is rapidly growing, and we are seeking a skilled Planning Manager to join our dedicated team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the strategic planning and scheduling of some of our flagship construction projects, fostering efficiency, and guiding the planning team to achieve successful outcomes.

Hours: 37.5

Location : Elgin

In return we offer you:

• £Competitive - DOA + excellent benefits including Site Allowances, Company Car and Subsistance Allowances (Subject to T&C’s of role)

What you’ll be doing

As a Planning Manager at Balfour Beatty, you will:

• Lead Strategic Planning and Scheduling: Oversee multiple construction projects, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and optimising project timelines and resource allocation.
• Drive Best Practices: Implement and promote best planning practices across the construction portfolio.
• Mentorship: Guide and support the planning team, focusing on development and successful project delivery.

Core Responsibilities:

• Scope Identification and Contract Requirements: Identify planning scope, constraints, and factors affecting the programme.
• Tender Development: Ensure the adoption of the most efficient design, procurement, and construction strategy for the successful delivery of the works.
• Planning Processes: Oversee development of key deliverables, including programmes, reports, and presentations.
• Contract Stage Guidance: Ensure alignment with commercial and planning procedures and contribute to the project success.
• Critical Path Analysis: Evaluate and advise on project critical paths, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Resource Management: Efficiently manage labour, equipment, and materials.
• Contract Management: Oversee contracts with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Data Analysis: Track progress through KPIs, identify deviations, and support project improvement decisions.
• Training and Development: Provide leadership and mentorship to the planning team.

Who we're looking for

Skills and Knowledge:

• Analytical and Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills with a focus on problem-solving.
• Communication and Negotiation: Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Leadership: Proven leadership and mentorship abilities.
• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Time Location software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Construction Management: Extensive knowledge of construction project management principles. Skilled in Change management processes.
• Scheduling and Planning: Expertise in developing and managing complex project schedules.
• Risk Management: Proficiency in TRA, QSRA, and other risk management practices.
• Financial Acumen: Understanding financial aspects like budgeting, cost estimation, and Earned Value Management.

Experience:

• Project Delivery: Significant experience in successfully planning and managing large-scale, complex construction projects.
• Resource Management: Expertise in leading and managing planning resources.

Stakeholder Relationships: Skilled in managing client, subcontractor, and stakeholder relationships.

Why Balfour Beatty?

• Competitive Salary and Benefits: Offering a competitive salary, site allowances, company car, and other benefits.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development within a leading infrastructure company.
• Innovative Environment: Work within a dynamic and innovative team that strives for excellence.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to leverage your planning expertise in a vibrant and fast-paced environment. We are committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, ensuring all employees feel valued and respected.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay forpaternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/