Senior Planner

Skilled Careers; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Car allowance or company car

Private medical insurance

Pension with up to 8% employer contribution

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Family leave benefits

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to deliver innovative planning services across major projects. This role includes responsibilities such as leading the planning function, mentoring junior planners, and driving best practices in construction methodologies. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with main contractors and advanced proficiency in Asta Powerproject. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits including medical insurance and pension contributions.

Qualifications

• Significant construction planning experience, ideally with a main contractor.
• Proven experience in tender planning including bid strategy and methodology development.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior team members.
• Proven tender planning experience including strategy, methodology, sequencing, and programme production.
• Experience delivering projects in education sectors or similar complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning function on major projects or smaller schemes.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality planning outputs across project teams.
• Implement and promote best practices across the planning discipline.
• Lead planning on complex or large-scale schemes and supervise other planners.
• Implement and promote best practice across the planning discipline.
• Prepare detailed project reports and establish KPIs throughout the lifecycle.
• Support design, procurement and construction integration and EOT assessments.

Skills

Construction planning experience

Leadership ability

Asta Powerproject proficiency

JCT contract knowledge

Analytical skills

Tools

Asta Powerproject

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Planner to deliver a professional, reliable, and innovative planning service across both pre-contract and live project environments. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in influencing major projects while supporting the continued growth and development of a high-performing construction team.

About the Role

As a Senior Planner, you will lead the planning function on either major projects or a portfolio of smaller schemes, working across all stages from pre-qualification through to project handover.

You will collaborate closely with Planning Managers, Project Directors, Bid teams, and fellow planning professionals to drive best practice, ensure robust programme governance, and enhance overall planning capability.

Key Responsibilities

Identify planning resource requirements and support recruitment and development activities

Mentor, motivate, and develop junior planners, including delivering training and completing performance reviews

Ensure the delivery of high-quality planning outputs across project teams

Lead planning responsibilities on complex or large-scale schemes, including supervising other planners

Governance

Implement and promote best practice across the planning discipline

Drive innovation in construction methodologies and planning techniques

Lead peer reviews and programme audits to ensure compliance and quality

Business Reporting

Report on audit outcomes and recommend corrective actions

Contribute to business-wide operational and planning reports

Operational Delivery

Prepare and contribute to detailed project reports

Establish KPIs and monitor performance throughout the project lifecycle

Support non-planning colleagues with programme-related training and guidance

Maintain accurate as-built programmes and issue logs

Manage supply chain programme integration, approvals, and protocols

Support change management processes, including programme impact analysis and extension of time (EOT) assessments

Ensure effective integration of design, procurement, and construction activities

Review programmes produced by junior planners and support short-term and target programme development

Pre-Construction / Bidding

Provide construction methodology advice to clients and consultants

Support pre-qualification submissions

Produce integrated tender programmes and method statements

Present planning proposals at tender settlement meetings

Prepare schedules and analyse time-related preliminaries

About You

We are looking for a highly capable Senior Planner who combines strong technical expertise with leadership ability and a collaborative approach.

You will have:

Significant construction planning experience, ideally with a main contractor

Advanced proficiency in Asta Powerproject

Strong understanding of JCT contract mechanisms, including change management and EOT assessment

Proven experience in tender planning, including bid strategy, methodology development, sequencing, and programme production

Experience delivering projects within education sectors (schools, colleges, universities) or similarly complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior team members

Strong analytical and reporting skills with excellent attention to detail

Confidence to challenge assumptions, influence decision-making, and propose innovative planning solutions

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary and profit share scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Car allowance or company car (subject to role/grade)

Travel expenses covered in line with applicable rates

Private medical insurance

Pension with up to 8% employer contribution

Health and wellbeing programme

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent learning and development opportunities to support career progression

Industry-leading family leave benefits, including enhanced maternity and paternity packages