Planning Manager

JN Bentley; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Mott MacDonald Bentley is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to join the United Utilities Enterprise Team. You will provide strategic leadership across a multidisciplinary team, guiding programmes from inception through design, construction and handover.

The role focuses on schedule integrity, NEC contract management, and robust reporting, with opportunities to develop Power BI dashboards and engage with stakeholders and clients to drive performance and safety.

Qualifications

• Experience as Senior Planner or Planning Manager on large capital programmes.
• Strong knowledge of NEC contract management and change control.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and MS Project for complex schedules.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholders.
• Chartered status or pursuing APM PP&C/PMQ is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the planning team, supporting growth within the business.
• Develop planning standards to ensure consistency across the function.
• Carry out schedule integrity checks to ensure robust timelines.
• Manage change control processes, schedule impacts and revisions.
• Produce detailed planning summaries for senior management.
• Manage the programme portfolio and planning team workloads.
• Contribute to Power BI reporting across the business.
• Represent the Planning function at stakeholder and client meetings.
• Coordinate monthly programme updates and submissions via CEMAR.
• Attend monthly client meetings to align progress and programme.

Skills

Primavera P6

MS Project

Senior Planner

Planning Manager

NEC contract management

Stakeholder management

Power BI

APM PP&C / PMQ

Multi-disciplinary delivery

Education

APM PP&C / PMQ (or equivalent)

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) is a fully integrated design and build business combining the design expertise of Mott MacDonald with the contracting experience of JN Bentley, operating across water, energy and environment sectors throughout the UK. With an annual turnover surpassing £600 million, Mott MacDonald Bentley cements its position as a leader within the industry. The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.

We have been named a partner on a new AMP8 framework with United Utilities, which will extend our relationship for at least the next five years. The partnership is set to be responsible for over £13bn of major infrastructure in the Northwest of England. Investment includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflows through the delivery of the largest spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.

Mott MacDonald Bentley is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to join the United Utilities Enterprise Team. This is a key role within the delivery team, reporting directly to the Enterprise operational lead. This position will further enhance our present Planning team and lead them towards meeting the challenges and demands this high‑tempo framework brings. We offer an exceptional working environment and are embedded towards delivering exceptional performance.

About the Role

You’ll provide strategic leadership across a multidisciplinary team, guiding programmes from early inception through design, construction, commissioning, and final handover.

The Planning Manager is central to the performance and evolution of the existing team — combining leadership, delivery excellence, commercial acumen, stakeholder influence and a passionate commitment to safety, innovation, and people.

You’ll also play a key leadership role across the Enterprise partners, shaping the culture, strategy, and success of the Enterprise.

The Role Of Planning Manager Includes

• Lead and manage the planning team, mentoring junior members of staff to support growth within the business
• Develop planning and project controls standards to ensure consistency across the planning function
• Carry out schedule integrity checks to ensure schedules are robust and adhere to NEC guidelines
• Manage change control processes, schedules impacts and schedule revisions
• Produce detailed planning summaries and schedule performance for senior management and stakeholders
• Manage the programme portfolio and planning team workloads
• Involvement in developing Power BI reporting across the business
• Represent the Planning function at stakeholder and client meetings
• Coordination of Monthly programme updates and submission to client through CEMAR
• Attend monthly client meetings to agree progress and programme with your teams

Essential

What You’ll Bring

• Proficiency in Primavera P6 and MS Project
• Considerable experience working within a Senior Planner or Planning Manager role
• Experience in multi‑disciplined construction delivery for large, complex capital programmes
• Track record of achieving budget, safety and performance outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management and effective communication skills
• Understanding of NEC contract management, baseline and change management
• Highly organised with strong analytical, problem‑solving and negotiation skills
• Evidence of being proactive with the ability to challenge project assumptions and drive outcomes
• Experience in facilitating collaborative planning workshops and coordinating multi‑disciplinary teams
• Obtained professional certificates in APM Project Planning & Control (PP&C), APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or any further relevant field

Desirable

• Experience within wastewater would be highly desirable, however not essential

What’s In It For You

Alongside our significant training and development investment, bespoke progression plan and support to achieve professional chartership, we offer a wide range of financial, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits that you can tailor to your needs.

To view our full range of benefits, please see the Bentley benefits brochure attached.