Planning Manager / Senior Planning Manager (Data Centres)

Rider Levett Bucknall RLB; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Working

Generous holiday entitlement

Private healthcare

APC mentoring

Season ticket loan

Job summary

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) is seeking a Planning Manager / Senior Planner Manager in London to support data centre projects across Europe. You will lead planning and scheduling, coordinating with project teams to keep programmes on track in a fast-paced, cross-country environment.

The role emphasizes collaboration, hybrid working, and a culture of learning through mentoring and APC development, with opportunities across the Advanced Tech sector within a growing European portfolio.

Qualifications

• Construction-related degree or equivalent qualification.
• Data centre project planning experience preferred.
• Experience delivering projects as consultant or client-side planner.
• Proficient in Asta PowerProjects and Primavera P6.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate construction projects from inception to completion.
• Develop detailed project plans with activities, timelines, and milestones.
• Coordinate resources: labour, equipment, and materials per schedule.
• Identify risks and create contingency plans to protect timelines.
• Generate regular progress reports for senior management.
• Collaborate with contractors, engineers, architects, and PMs.
• Ensure schedules align with processes and procedures.

Skills

Project scheduling

Stakeholder coordination

Project management

Risk management

Education

Construction related degree

Tools

Asta PowerProjects

Primavera P6

Job description

Department: Project Management

Location: London

Description

Title:

Title: Planning Manager / Senior Planner Manager

Sector: Data Centres

Discipline: Project Controls & Scheduling

Location: London (with Hybrid Working)

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.

Role Overview

RLB is continuing to win projects with clients in the Advanced Tech and Data Centre sector, and we are looking for more talented professionals to help deliver them.

The Advanced Tech sector represent the forefront of technological advancement and sustainable development in the built environment, encompassing data centres, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, robotics and automation, and renewable energy production and battery storage. RLB has experienced substantial growth in the sector, expanding into new EMEA markets, broadening our service offerings, and significantly increasing our team.

Our expert consultants play a key role on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects being developed in the sector today.

With growing demand for our services, we are recruiting an experienced Planner or Senior Planner for a London based role, supporting the delivery of various Data Centre projects in and around London, and across Europe.

A cultural fit is key. As an independent, employee-owned business, teamwork and collaboration lie at the heart of everything we do. And we work to be a force for good, guided and inspired by our values – Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow – to make a positive, long-lasting difference in the communities we serve.

Role Responsibilities

• Responsible for the comprehensive planning, scheduling, and coordination of construction projects from inception to completion. Your expertise in project management, keen attention to detail, and strong communication skills will be essential in ensuring projects are executed efficiently, on time, and within budget. You will work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including project managers, contractors, engineers, architects, and clients, to create and maintain project schedules, monitor progress, and implement strategies to overcome potential obstacles.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to develop detailed project plans, outlining project activities, timelines, and critical milestones.
• Coordinate with resource managers to review/allocate labour, equipment, and materials according to project requirements and schedules.
• To carry out assigned obligations efficiently and in accordance with processes and procedures.
• Identify potential risks and bottlenecks in project schedules and develop contingency plans to minimize their impact on project timelines.
• Generate regular progress reports, presenting project status, key metrics, and forecasting potential challenges to senior management and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with contractors, architects, engineers, and project managers to integrate their inputs into the project planning process.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Construction related degree or a similar construction related qualification

Experience

• Demonstrable experience working in the Data Centre space is highly preferred.
• Transferable experience within other sectors such as MEP, Pharma, Energy may also be considered.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering projects as either a consultant or client-side Project Planner.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools (Asta PowerProjects and/or Primavera P6).
• In-depth knowledge of construction project management principles, techniques, and best practices.
• Experience scheduling projects from conception through to completion (RIBA stage 1-5).

Behaviours

• Recognised as a client focused, positive collaborator who shares knowledge freely and offers support to their peers and seniors. Recognised as a team player with a strong willingness to learn.
• Demonstrates a positive and proactive approach to the role, and will be committed to delivering customer service excellence, with good commercial results.

RLB Employee Benefits

Our culture is built around enabling you to fulfil your potential, so you can look forward to benefits that include:

• 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. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with either hidden or physical disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role. This guarantees an interview, not an offer of employment.

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]