Senior Planner

VVB Engineering; Acton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

VVB Engineering seeks a Senior Planner to drive planning excellence across London and the South East. You will develop cost and resource-loaded programmes, monitor progress, and support commercial submissions with robust planning data.

Applicants should have 10+ years in planning within infrastructure environments, with NEC/JCT/ICE knowledge desirable and willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of planning experience in infrastructure environments.
• Experience with cost and resource-loaded programmes.
• Knowledge of NEC/JCT/ICE contracts is desirable.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost and resource-loaded programmes covering the full project scope.
• Create and maintain robust, linked project programmes.
• Provide programme updates and conduct reviews prior to submission.
• Prepare and submit weekly site progress photo reports.
• Generate EVA reports and review SPI and CPI.
• Prepare tender programmes for Head of Planning.
• Support risks and opportunities (R&O) at project level.
• Resolve cross-functional planning issues.

Skills

Planning software proficiency

Stakeholder liaison

Strong communication

Education

NVQ/HNC

Tools

Planning software

Job description

Role Overview

Are you a proactive, forward-thinking professional with a passion for delivering excellence in project planning? Join our VVB Engineering as a Senior Planner and play a key role in ensuring the successful delivery, commercial viability, and resource optimisation of projects across London and South East

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare cost and resource-loaded programmes covering the complete project scope in line with the contract.
• Create and maintain robust, logically linked, cost and resource-loaded project programmes.
• Regularly update project programmes, ensuring they align with client expectations.
• Provide comprehensive programme updates and conduct reviews prior to submission.
• Prepare and submit weekly site progress photo reports.
• Carry out regular programme reviews to ensure contractual obligations are met.
• Perform impact assessments, delay analyses, and prepare cause-and-effect delay programmes.
• Monitor project progress through lookahead plans, site diaries, and regular site visits.
• Conduct forensic planning and prepare EOT (Extension of Time) programmes to support commercial submissions.
• Implement and maintain VVB planning standards and programme logic, while maintaining a programme log for all changes.
• Generate Earned Value Analysis (EVA) reports and regularly review SPI (Schedule Performance Index) and CPI (Cost Performance Index).
• Prepare tender programmes and contribute to tender submissions as requested by the Head of Planning.
• Support the commercial team in managing risks and opportunities (R&O) at project level.
• Resolve cross-functional planning issues and elevate concerns where necessary.
• Provide support to other VVB projects as directed by the Planning Manager.

Person Specification

• Strong understanding of achieving customer satisfaction and maintaining high standards.
• Proficiency in planning software and operational requirements.
• Awareness of inter-discipline requirements of design and construct projects.

Desirable

• Knowledge of major construction contracts (NEC, JCT, ICE).
• Background in electrical or mechanical engineering.

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum NVQ/HNC.

Desirable

• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering qualifications.

Competencies/ Behaviours

Essential

• Collaborative, decisive, and able to work under pressure.
• Flexible, "can-do" attitude in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise on technical matters at all levels.
• Self-motivated and forward-thinking with the ability to establish good working relationships.

Desirable

• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in planning.
• Competence in creating planning documentation.
• Experience in infrastructure environments (utilities/civils).

Desirable

• Previous experience working for an M&E contractor.
• Proven experience of 3-5 years in a similar role.