Project Planner

Manufacturing Technology Centre; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a full-time project planner to support various projects in the defence sector. This dynamic role involves developing and managing project schedules, collaborating with project managers, and ensuring compliance with contractual requirements. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills, experience in delivering complex projects, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Join a forward-thinking organization that values professional development and offers a range of attractive benefits, including flexible working options and opportunities for continuous improvement. If you are results-driven and passionate about project management, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Option to buy or sell holiday

Fully Flexible working

Wellbeing hub access

Corporate Discounts

Financial support for Professional memberships

Professional development opportunities

Enhanced family leave

Group Income Protection

Life Assurance

Company Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in project management processes and delivering complex projects.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project and MS Office with strong analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage project schedules, ensuring quality and accuracy.
• Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders for project success.

Skills

Project Management Processes

Microsoft Project

MS Office

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Risk Identification

EVM Reporting

Commercial Awareness

Education

Project Management Certification (PMP)

Degree in Engineering or Related Field

Tools

Microsoft Project

PM Tools

Job description

This role is within the programme management function as a full-time project planner across a number of projects, technologies, and activities in support of MTC clients within the defence sector.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Developing and managing schedules ensuring its quality (logic, clarity) and accuracy (update of dates, progress, and scope definition).
2. Collaborating with the project manager allocated to the project as well as with the execution functions (engineering, procurement, workshop/operations, etc.) to ensure the full project scope and requirements are captured and baselined within the programme.
3. Supporting project management to provide them visibility and support on looking ahead of tasks to be performed in the 3 – 6 weeks.
4. Identification of risks in the schedule along with mitigation actions.
5. Opportunities in the schedule.
6. Schedule scenario assessments.
7. Developing and providing relevant reports to project management to ensure the Project Manager has all the tools required to make the right decisions and drive on-time and on-budget project execution.
8. Interact with the customer (internal as well as potentially external) to provide updates on schedule and explain the current situation, challenges, and opportunities.
9. Ensuring that the contract programme is produced, maintained, and submitted in accordance with contractual requirements.
10. An ability to travel to site as determined by project requirements.
11. Experience across all stages of the project life cycle in medium to large-sized projects.
12. Development and implementation of planning processes, policies, and procedures.

Person Specification

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Experience:

1. Knowledge and experience of project management processes & reporting techniques.
2. Experience of delivering complex projects.
3. Significant experience in a busy projects environment.
4. Significant understanding of APM PM competencies.
5. Demonstrable knowledge of PMP and PMO.
6. Experience and a working understanding of delivering projects in an engineering/professional services environment.
7. An experienced MS Office user.
8. Experienced with Microsoft Project including cost and resource loading, plus resource levelling techniques.
9. An articulate and effective communicator able to interact with stakeholders at all levels of the business.
10. A natural investigatory nature with strong analytical skills.
11. Results driven self-starter with a positive CAN-DO approach focusing on solutions rather than problems.
12. Ability to remain calm, positive and constructive under pressure.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications/Experience:

1. Knowledge and experience of EVM reporting throughout the lifecycle of the project.
2. Knowledge of NEC4, standard form of contract.
3. Current or previous holder of national security clearance.
4. To view situations from a commercial perspective and be operating at a level where commercially focused decisions are made.
5. Experience of managing innovation in the content of the projects as well as delivery mechanisms.
6. Ability to identify opportunities for maintaining and updating performance standards.
7. Willingness to contribute to continuous improvement activities related to PM tools and processes.

What we offer you:

1. Option to buy or sell up to a week’s holiday, plus long service holidays.
2. Fully Flexible working offering.
3. Wellbeing hub incl. Vitality PMI, access to Wellbeing champions.
4. Corporate Discounts e.g. up to 50% selected gyms.
5. Financial support for Professional memberships.
6. Professional development opportunities.
7. Opportunities to join and create clubs/societies.
8. Enhanced family leave.
9. Group Income Protection.
10. Life Assurance.
11. Company Pension Scheme and access to pension advice.

Please note we may close this vacancy earlier than the planned expiry date should we receive suitable applications.