Planning Manager - Thurrock

Balfour Beatty; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure firm in the UK is looking for a Construction Planning Manager to oversee planning and scheduling for a significant project. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing complex infrastructure projects and will thrive in a fast-paced environment. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, alongside opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Continuous professional development

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in planning large-scale, complex infrastructure or civil engineering projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading planning teams and managing multi-stakeholder environments.
• Track record of aligning planning strategies with business and project goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of robust programmes across tender and contract stages.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define planning scope, constraints, and requirements.
• Guide the planning team in producing and maintaining the Contract Programme.
• Analyse and communicate the project's critical path.
• Optimise labour, equipment, and materials.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Leadership capabilities

Ability to work under pressure

Tools

Primavera P6

ASTA Powerproject

MS Project

Excel

Job description

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About the role

Are you ready to shape one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure projects? The Lower Thames Crossing is a nationally significant scheme that will transform connectivity and resilience across the southeast. We're looking for a Construction Planning Manager to lead the planning and scheduling of this complex, multi-disciplinary project.

This is a high-impact role where your strategic thinking, technical expertise, and leadership will directly influence the success of a landmark development. You'll work at the heart of a collaborative team, driving planning excellence from tender through to delivery.

What you'll be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Scheduling: Lead the development of robust programmes across tender and contract stages, ensuring logical sequencing, efficient methodologies, and alignment with project objectives.
• Tender Leadership: Collaborate with stakeholders to define planning scope, constraints, and contract requirements. Oversee the planning team to deliver compelling tender programmes and planning deliverables.
• Contract Execution: Guide the planning team in producing and maintaining the Contract Programme. Monitor progress, manage baselines, and implement change control processes.
• Critical Path & Risk Management: Analyse and communicate the project's critical path, advising on corrective actions. Apply advanced risk management techniques (TRA, QSRA) to mitigate delays.
• Resource & Contract Management: Optimise labour, equipment, and materials. Manage subcontractor and supplier contracts, resolving issues and ensuring performance.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Support the team in generating KPIs and performance data to track progress and inform strategic decisions.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Provide guidance and development opportunities to junior planners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Who we're looking for

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Ability to thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments

Technical Expertise

• Proficient in Primavera P6, ASTA Powerproject, MS Project, and Excel
• Deep understanding of construction methodologies, NEC contracts, and earned value management
• Skilled in risk analysis tools and techniques (TRA, QSRA)
• Familiarity with BIM integration and 4D planning is a plus

Experience

• Extensive experience in planning large-scale, complex infrastructure or civil engineering projects
• Demonstrated success in leading planning teams and managing multi-stakeholder environments
• Track record of aligning planning strategies with business and project goals

Why work for us

• Be part of a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project
• Work with a forward-thinking, inclusive, and collaborative team
• Access to continuous professional development and career progression
• Competitive salary, benefits, and flexible working arrangements

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

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also 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/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: [e-mail]