Senior Planner

VVB Engineering; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries with yearly appraisals

Travel expenses coverage

Perkbox membership

Life Assurance

Private Medical Insurance

Generous pension scheme

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Job summary

VVB Engineering in Birmingham seeks a Senior Planner to ensure the successful delivery and resource optimisation of projects across the Midlands and North. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of planning experience in infrastructure environments and be proficient in planning software. Key responsibilities include preparing comprehensive project programmes, updating them as needed, and conducting planning assessments to meet contractual obligations. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum NVQ/HNC is required.
• Strong understanding of customer satisfaction essential.
• At least 10 years of experience in planning.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost and resource-loaded project programmes.
• Regularly update project programmes aligning with client expectations.
• Conduct forensic planning and prepare EOT programmes.

Skills

Customer satisfaction

Planning software proficiency

Communication skills

Decision-making

Collaboration

Education

NVQ/HNC

Tools

Planning software

Job description

Benefits

• Competitive salaries with yearly appraisals
• Travel expenses covered for assignments outside your base location
• Perkbox membership for 24/7 access to perks, benefits, discounts, and wellbeing tools
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance schemes provided by leading providers
• Generous pension scheme
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (this includes a Christmas shutdown)

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 the Midlands and North region.

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

Essential

• 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.