Planning Manager

Kenton Black Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kenton Black Limited is seeking an experienced Freelance Planning Manager to lead the planning function on a major UK infrastructure programme. The role is London/South East based, with hybrid working and Inside IR35, offering up to £675 per day.

You will take ownership of detailed planning, manage programmes end-to-end, identify risks and provide clear, commercially focused advice to senior stakeholders across design, procurement and construction activities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior planning position within construction, infrastructure or major projects.
• Strong working knowledge of Primavera P6 and/or Asta Powerproject.
• Experience developing and maintaining complex construction programmes.
• Strong understanding of NEC3/NEC4 contracts.
• Experience undertaking critical path and programme impact analysis.
• Knowledge of earned value, programme risk and project controls.
• Ability to interrogate programmes and provide clear, commercially focused planning advice.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage and maintain detailed, fully logic-linked project programmes.
• Lead planning and scheduling activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify critical paths, programme risks and potential opportunities.
• Monitor progress against agreed programmes and recommend corrective actions.
• Produce planning reports, progress updates and KPIs for the project team.
• Ensure programmes reflect design, procurement and construction activities.
• Support programme change management and assess impact of change.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Commercial Managers and Engineers.
• Support resource planning across labour, plant and materials.
• Provide planning input into contractual and commercial discussions.
• Drive consistent planning processes and best practice across the project.
• Provide guidance and support to planning team members.

Skills

Senior planning experience

NEC3/NEC4 contracts

Critical path analysis

Earned value and project controls

Commercial planning advice

Reporting and analytics

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring planners

Tools

Primavera P6

Asta Powerproject

Job description

Freelance Planning Manager – Major Infrastructure

London / South East | Freelance | Hybrid | Inside IR35 | Up to £675 per day

About the Company

Our client is an established contractor delivering major infrastructure projects across the UK. They operate on complex, high-value programmes where strong project controls, programme management and collaborative delivery are essential.

With a strong pipeline of work across London and the South East, they are looking to appoint an experienced freelance Planning Manager to provide senior-level planning expertise on a major infrastructure programme.

The Role

As Planning Manager, you will take ownership of the planning and programming function, working closely with project, commercial and engineering teams to ensure programmes are robust, achievable and aligned with contractual requirements.

This is a senior freelance opportunity requiring somebody comfortable working autonomously, challenging programme assumptions and providing clear insight to the wider project team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, manage and maintain detailed, fully logic-linked project programmes
• Lead planning and scheduling activities throughout the project lifecycle
• Identify critical paths, programme risks and potential opportunities
• Monitor progress against agreed programmes and recommend corrective actions
• Produce planning reports, progress updates and KPIs for the project team
• Ensure programmes accurately reflect design, procurement and construction activities
• Support programme change management and assess the impact of change
• Work closely with Project Managers, Commercial Managers, Engineers and other key stakeholders
• Support resource planning across labour, plant and materials
• Provide planning input into contractual and commercial discussions
• Drive consistent planning processes and best practice across the project
• Provide guidance and support to other members of the planning team

Experience & Requirements

• Significant experience in a senior planning position within construction, infrastructure or major projects
• Strong working knowledge of Primavera P6 and/or Asta Powerproject
• Experience developing and maintaining complex construction programmes
• Strong understanding of NEC3/NEC4 contracts
• Experience undertaking critical path and programme impact analysis
• Knowledge of earned value, programme risk and project controls
• Ability to interrogate programmes and provide clear, commercially focused planning advice
• Strong reporting and analytical capabilities
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced project environment
• Able to communicate effectively with senior project and client-side stakeholders
• Previous experience leading or mentoring planners would be advantageous