Senior Construction Planner

Wates Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Private healthcare

Pension contribution

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development

Job summary

Wates Group in London is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to lead project programmes for high-value commercial developments across the capital.

You will develop detailed construction programmes from pre-construction through delivery, manage risks, and work closely with clients, consultants and subcontractors to maximise efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven Senior Planner/Planning Manager experience in main contracting.
• Strong track record delivering commercial office projects in London.
• Experience with cut-and-carve refurbishments in city environments.
• Expertise in construction sequencing, logistics, temporary works and buildability.
• Experience guiding pre-construction and live construction programmes.
• Advanced Primavera P6 and MS Project skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage detailed project programmes from tender through to completion.
• Lead planning on complex commercial office developments, including new build and refurbishment/cut‑and‑carve schemes.
• Create tender programmes, logistics strategies, phasing plans and construction methodologies.
• Monitor progress against milestones and identify risks.
• Conduct critical path analyses and devise recovery plans.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure programme ownership during delivery.
• Present updates to clients, consultants and senior stakeholders.
• Support bid submissions and pre-construction planning activities.
• Contribute to planning best practices across the business.

Skills

Senior Planner experience

Office new build

Cut-and-carve refurbishment

Pre-construction planning

Stakeholder management

Program management

Construction sequencing

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Education

Bachelor/Master in Construction Management or Civil Engineering

CIOB/APM membership desirable

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Job description

At Wates, we're delivering some of London's most exciting and technically challenging construction projects. As our project portfolio continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced Senior Planner to join our Construction team, supporting the successful delivery of high-value commercial developments across the capital.

This is an excellent opportunity for a planning professional with extensive experience in office new build and cut-and-carve projects, who can provide strategic programme leadership from pre-construction through to completion.

About The Role

As Senior Planner, you will play a critical role in shaping, developing and managing project programmes across major commercial schemes. Working closely with project teams, clients, consultants and subcontractors, you will ensure robust planning strategies are implemented to achieve project objectives and maximise operational efficiency.

You will be responsible for developing detailed construction programmes, monitoring progress, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting project teams with recovery and mitigation strategies where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage detailed project programmes from tender through to project completion.
• Lead planning activities on complex commercial office developments, including new build and refurbishment/cut-and-carve schemes.
• Produce tender programmes, logistics strategies, phasing plans and construction methodologies.
• Monitor project progress and performance against programme milestones.
• Conduct critical path analysis and provide early identification of programme risks.
• Develop recovery programmes and mitigation plans where necessary.
• Collaborate closely with operational teams to ensure programme ownership throughout delivery.
• Prepare and present programme updates to clients, consultants and senior stakeholders.
• Support bid submissions and pre-construction planning activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and planning best practice across the business.

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Senior Planner, Project Planner or Planning Manager within a main contracting environment.
• Strong track record delivering commercial office new build projects in London.
• Significant experience working on cut-and-carve refurbishment schemes within occupied or constrained city-centre environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of construction sequencing, logistics, temporary works and buildability.
• Experience managing programmes through both pre-construction and live construction phases.
• Advanced proficiency with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project.
• Excellent knowledge of construction methodologies and project controls.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree, HNC or HND in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Relevant professional membership (CIOB, APM or equivalent) desirable.
• Advanced Primavera P6 capability.

Why Join Wates?

At Wates, people are at the heart of everything we do. You'll join one of the UK's leading construction businesses with a strong reputation for delivering landmark projects, investing in our people and creating a positive, inclusive working environment.

We Offer

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Car allowance
• Private healthcare
• Pension contribution
• Flexible and agile working arrangements
• Industry-leading learning and development opportunities
• The opportunity to work on some of London's most prestigious commercial developments

Our Commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]