Project Planner - Kent

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Swanley; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK contractor is seeking a Project Planner to join their team in Kent. The role involves managing project planning across multiple education construction projects, requiring strong construction planning background and considerable experience with NEC contracts. Responsibilities include developing detailed project plans, collaborating with teams, and advising on critical project issues. The position is hybrid, allowing a mix of site and remote work.

Qualifications

• Experience on major projects is ideal.
• Candidates from M&E, rail, or petrochemical backgrounds will not be considered.
• Practical understanding of construction delivery is a must.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed project plans and programmes.
• Collaborate with project teams to design methodologies.
• Provide regular updates on project progress.
• Create and manage short and medium-term programmes.
• Produce weekly dashboards highlighting project updates.
• Advise on critical issues and overall strategy.
• Lead weekly planning meetings.
• Evaluate change proposals and assess impacts.
• Capture as-built data for benchmarking.
• Integrate 4D BIM planning models.

Skills

Strong construction planning background

NEC contract experience

Commercial construction experience

On-site experience

Education

Relevant construction qualifications

Job description

Job Title: Project Planner
Location: Kent
Sector: Education Construction Projects
Salary: Up to £80,000 + Bonus + Benefits Package

About the Company & Project

Cobalt is proud to be partnering with a leading Tier 1 contractor, renowned for delivering high‑value projects across the UK. They are currently seeking a Project Planner to join their established team, contributing to a portfolio of multi‑million‑pound education projects in the Kent area. This is a hybrid role, with your time split between project sites and remote working. You'll play a key role in the planning and delivery of several complex schemes, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and to the highest standards.

Role Overview

As a Project Planner, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of project planning and monitoring across all phases. Working closely with the operations team, you'll help define methodology, track progress, and identify potential risks or delays-supporting successful project delivery from preconstruction through to completion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop detailed project plans, programmes, and planning reports in line with company procedures.
• Collaborate with project teams to design preconstruction and construction methodologies.
• Provide regular updates on project progress against contract and delivery milestones.
• Create and manage short- and medium-term programmes to support operational teams.
• Produce weekly dashboards highlighting key updates, milestones, and potential risks.
• Advise project directors on critical issues and overall planning strategy.
• Lead weekly planning meetings to update on progress, coordinate upcoming work, and record delays.
• Evaluate change proposals and assess time-related impacts using Event Analysis techniques.
• Capture as-built data, including production rates and delay information, for benchmarking.
• Work alongside the BIM Coordinator to integrate 4D BIM planning models.
• Foster a deep understanding of the programme within the wider project team.

Candidate Requirements:

• Strong construction planning background, ideally with experience on major projects.
• NEC contract experience is essential.
• Previous experience in the built environment sector - candidates from M&E, rail, or petrochemical backgrounds will not be considered.
• Commercial construction experience, ideally gained with a main contractor (not housebuilders or developers).
• Must have on-site experience and a practical understanding of construction delivery.
• Relevant construction qualifications preferred.

Interested?

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be part of a forward-thinking, successful team, apply today with your up-to-date CV.