Project Planner

Diamond Light Source; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

Pension scheme

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work

On-site parking

Campus amenities

Job summary

Diamond Light Source is seeking an experienced Project Planner to support the Diamond Programme Office on a 3-year fixed term contract. The role focuses on developing and maintaining resourced project plans to underpin world-class science.

You will monitor progress, provide management information, and assist in progress reporting. A degree is required; a project management qualification is desirable, with a hybrid model offering at least 3 days on site.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent; project management qualification desirable.
• Proven experience planning and controlling complex projects.
• Excellent MS Office skills and ability to manipulate data for reporting.
• Strong communication and organisational abilities across multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Project Managers and Support departments to create and maintain resourced project plans and ensure compliance with control standards.
• Monitor progress against plans; identify and resolve issues with involved teams.
• Provide timely, accurate management information to Project Manager and Head of Diamond Programme Office for project oversight.
• Assist in preparing progress reports and meeting notes; maintain documentation.

Skills

Project planning

Project management

Communication

MS Office

Education

Degree or equivalent

Project management qualification desirable

Job description

3 year fixed term contract

As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 3 days working onsite per week, however, arrangements may be different during the probationary period.

About Us

Diamond Light Source is one of the world's most advanced scientific facilities. We're home to the UK's synchrotron light source; designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light. Scientists use synchrotron light to probe the structure and composition of matter, driving innovation in everything from vaccines to nanotech.

We are preparing for a major upgrade of the facility, known as Diamond-II. Diamond-II will combine a new machine and new beamlines with a comprehensive series of upgrades to optics, detectors, sample environments, sample delivery capabilities and computing, which will ultimately generate an even more brilliant light source at a higher energy.

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a project planner on a 3-year fixed term contract. The busy Diamond Programme Office requires Project Planners to provide key professional project planning expertise to support a wide range of complex projects that underpin world-class, cutting-edge science.

We are looking for individuals with plenty of initiative; a drive to influence successful project delivery and ability to implement tailored project management techniques.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with the Project Managers and Support departments to create and maintain resourced project plans and ensuring compliance to project control standards and procedures.
• Being proactive in the appropriate monitoring of progress against the plan, highlight where the plan is not being achieved and work with the teams involved to identify and resolve issues.
• Providing timely, accurate and appropriate management information to Project Manager and Head of the Diamond Programme Office to support the overview of projects.
• Assisting in the preparation of progress reports and meeting notes.
• Providing assurance that the change control, risk management and cost control procedures are followed by the project manager.
• Promoting Project Planning best practice within Diamond by maintaining professional knowledge base.
• Participating in and facilitate the planning and preparation of project management events and workshops.

About You

Bring us your enthusiasm for science and project management, your first-class communication skills, proven experience planning and controlling projects and we'll give you the chance to be part of the next wave of demanding projects at Diamond, and to make an important contribution to the future success of our science and technology-based organisation.

You should be educated to degree level or similar qualification and demonstrate equivalent working experience, while a qualification in Project Management is desirable.

• You will need to demonstrate keen problem-solving skills to identify and resolve areas where plans are failing and recognise how you can best facilitate delivery of specific projects. You'll also show plenty of initiative; a drive to influence successful project delivery and ability to implement tailored project management techniques.

• You will be equally confident communicating with the Project Board and with members of the Project Team, both in person and in writing, you'll impress us with your flair for organisation.

• You will require excellent MS Office skills.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme with a 2.3% accrual rate. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

Our campus-based location, with open green space, offers sports pitches, an outdoor gym, as well as a network of cycle, running and walking routes. Staff also have access to a range of onsite amenities including cafes, restaurants, a daycare nursery and free on-site parking.

As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 3 days working onsite per week, however, arrangements may be different during the probationary period.

To Apply

The closing date for applications is 11th OCtober 2026, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.