Planning Manager - Data Centre

Rider Levett Bucknall; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private healthcare

APC mentoring

Season ticket loan

Professional memberships

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall in Buckinghamshire seeks a Planning Manager with Data Centre experience to lead client schedules on a campus project, aligning with high standards and providing insights. The role combines on-site work in Buckinghamshire 2-3 days a week with hybrid arrangements, and collaborates with the Project Controls & Scheduling team across London, UK and Europe.

Candidates should have proven data centre delivery experience, strong Primavera P6 skills, and excellent communication to

Qualifications

• Proven Data Centre consultancy experience and a proactive approach.
• Lead Project Planner for Data Centre projects (£40m+).
• Extensive technical delivery experience in consultancy, contractor or client side.
• Experience in delivering mission critical projects as either a consultant, lead contractor or client-side Planner.
• Able to acclimatise quickly and drive the project forward.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the delivery of Data Centre projects to secure repeat business.
• Audit GC schedules to ensure logic, compliance and complete scope.
• Establish robust schedule reporting procedures for data capture and analysis.
• InterviewMain Contractors, undertake tender analysis and report recommendations on schedule submissions.
• Regularly report to clients and internal teams.
• Conduct schedule scenario analysis based on client options.
• Develop/evolve Construction schedules.
• Contract Administration with understanding of building contracts.
• Manage change control processes.
• Audit commissioning process and align with IMS master schedules.
• Contribute to Risk Management and perform schedule quantitative risk assessments.
• Onsite verification of work and accurate forecast reflection.
• Support Data Centre team on new high-profile projects.

Skills

Planning & Scheduling

Client liaison

Communication

Team collaboration

Project controls

Education

Degree level

Chartered status desirable

Tools

Primavera P6

PowerBI

Microsoft 365

Job description

Planning Manager - Data Centre

Department: Project Management

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Buckinghamshire

Reporting To: Ewan Ions

Description

Title: Associate Planning Manager / Campus Lead

Division: Project Controls and Scheduling

Sector: Data Centre

Location: Buckinghamshire, on-site 2-3 days per week (with Hybrid Working)

Reporting to: Senior Associate / Partner

Why RLB?

At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.

We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.

Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.

We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.

You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.

What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee-owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.

Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.

Introduction to Project Controls & Scheduling

Our dedicated Project Controls & Scheduling team supports projects from initial planning through to completion and operation. We develop and maintain high-quality project schedules aligned with client requirements, providing the insight and predictability needed to support informed decision-making and successful project delivery.

We work across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on Data Centres and Advanced Technology. Our Planning Managers work closely with clients, advising on project constraints, timelines and programme logic across procurement, design, construction and commissioning, as well as risk mitigation and trend analysis throughout project delivery.

The team has grown considerably in recent years and now comprises over 35 Project Controls Managers and Planners. We are committed to providing our people with rewarding, long-term careers while maintaining a consistently high standard of service for our clients.

Within Data Centres, we work with an enviable client base, from US hyperscale technology clients to UK-based developers across the UK and EMEA. The high level of repeat work we receive reflects the strength of our client relationships and the quality of our service and advice.

Role Overview

We are currently recruiting a Planning Manager with proven Data Centre experience for a key project of ours. You will join a client focussed team to be a client schedule lead on a project made up as part of a campus, the role will be to ensure project schedule standards meet and exceed client standards in relation to quality and deliverable timelines, support and reporting to the campus lead, client team and stakeholders and provide project insights related to project delivery in relation to project controls and schedule management.

The role is an opportunity to develop and drive our Data Centre capability, working on high profile projects in the London, the wider UK and Europe.

While the role will be partially site based in Buckinghamshire, the position is aligned to the wider London based Project Controls & Scheduling team, while also offering hybrid working.

Role Responsibilities

• To lead and oversee the successful delivery of Data Centre projects with a view to securing repeat business.
• Detailed Audit of GC schedules to ensure schedules are logical, compliant and contains all project Scope.
• Establish robust schedule reporting procedure to ensure streamlined data capture and analysis
• Interviewing Main Contractors, undertaking tender analysis and reporting to clients with recommendations related to schedule submissions.
• Regular reporting to clients and internal client teams.
• Undertaking schedule scenario analysis based on proposed client options.
• Development/evolution of Construction schedules.
• Contract Administration (which requires a good understanding of building contracts).
• Implementation and management of a change control process.
• Understanding of testing and commissioning process and ability to audit commissioning process with input from the project team and align commissioning information into IMS integrated master schedules.
• To input into the Risk Management process and undertake Schedule Quantitative risk assessments to calculate project predictability.
• Onsite verification of work, ensure schedule forecasts are accurately reflected.
• To support and develop our Data Centre team working on new high profile Data Centre projects.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in a Data Centre consultancy environment and demonstrate a positive proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.
• Lead Project Planner for Data Centre projects (Client, consultancy side or GC lead) (£40million +).
• Extensive technical delivery experience in a similar role gained within a consultancy, contractor or end user client.
• Experience in delivering mission critical projects as either a consultant, lead contractor or client-side Project Planner.
• Can quickly acclimatise to a new project and take ownership to drive the project forward.
• Strong capability with Scheduling software Primavera P6, Microsoft 365 suite.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills both written and verbal.
• A team player with a ‘can do’ attitude, outgoing, polite, patient, diplomatic, personable and flexible.

Preferable Experience

• Experience using reporting systems such as PowerBI with schedule data alignment.
• Understanding and capability to use 4D modelling such as Syncro.
• Experience writing Schedule management processes for structure alignment and reporting across portfolio’s.

Qualifications

• Qualifications - Degree level.
• Chartership - Professional qualification desirable - MCIOB, MRICS, MAPM, MIARB or equivalent – or desire to achieve.

RLB Employee Benefits

• Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work-life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.
• Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
• Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
• Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
• Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
• Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
• Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
• Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [e-mail]