Senior Planner

Reed; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Senior Planner (Primavera P6) to join its PMO on an 18-month fixed-term contract in London (hybrid) or Birmingham. The role centers on governance, assurance, reporting and compliance for a major transport programme.

You will lead a small planning team, manage a Planner and Reporting Systems Analyst, and set planning standards across a complex portfolio. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on Primavera P6 experience and governance focus.
• Strong ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder schedules.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent project delivery experience.
• Membership of a recognised professional body.

Responsibilities

• Lead production, maintenance and governance of programme schedules in Primavera P6.
• Support contractual commitments, annual planning cycles and re-baselining.
• Ensure baselines, milestones and assumptions are reflected accurately.
• Deliver governance, compliance and milestone reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Develop planning standards, processes and reporting frameworks.
• Support scenario planning and schedule performance analysis.
• Manage P6 resource planning, Progress Reporter and Timesheets processes.
• Collaborate with Finance for periodic reporting and forecasting.
• Build relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Lead, coach and develop the planning team.

Skills

Primavera P6

Governance & reporting

Stakeholder management

Leadership & mentoring

Programme planning

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

Membership of a recognised professional body

Tools

Progress Reporter

Timesheets

Job description

Senior Planner (Primavera P6) - 18-Month Fixed Term Contract
Location:London (preferred) or Birmingham Hybrid Working

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Planner to join a major transport and infrastructure organisation's Programme Management Office (PMO) on an 18-month fixed-term contract.

This is a unique opportunity for a Primavera P6 specialist to support a nationally significant programme. Unlike a traditional planning role focused on critical path analysis, resource levelling or project controls, this position is centred on programme governance, assurance, reporting and compliance.

Reporting to the PMO Director, you will lead a small planning function, manage a Planner and Reporting Systems Analyst, while acting as the subject matter expert for planning standards, schedule governance and programme reporting.

The Role

You will be responsible for the development, maintenance and reporting of multiple programme schedules that support governance, contractual commitments and business decision-making. Working across a complex portfolio, you will ensure schedules remain the single source of truth for programme milestones, business plan commitments and performance reporting.

Using Primavera P6, Progress Reporter and Timesheets, you will oversee resource planning data, reporting processes and interfaces with finance and wider programme stakeholders. You will also support annual business planning, programme re-baselining and schedule integration with external industry partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the production, maintenance and governance of programme schedules in Primavera P6.
• Manage planning activities supporting contractual commitments, annual planning cycles and programme re-baselining.
• Ensure schedules accurately reflect approved baselines, milestones and planning assumptions.
• Deliver governance, compliance and milestone assurance reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Develop and improve planning standards, processes and reporting frameworks.
• Support programme delivery through scenario planning and schedule performance analysis.
• Manage P6 resource planning, Progress Reporter and Timesheet processes.
• Partner with Finance to support periodic reporting and forecasting activities.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams, government stakeholders and industry partners.
• Lead, coach and develop the planning team.

About You

Essential:

• Extensive hands-on Primavera P6 experience.
• Strong understanding of programme planning, governance and reporting.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programme schedules.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Previous experience leading or mentoring planning professionals.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent project delivery experience.
• Membership of a recognised professional body.

Desirable:

• Rail, transport or major infrastructure experience.
• Experience within government-funded or regulated programme environments.
• Experience working with external delivery partners and schedule integration activities.

This role would suit a Senior Planner who enjoys operating within a dynamic PMO environment where planning is a key governance and assurance function. If you're looking for an opportunity to influence programme delivery at a strategic level, we'd love to hear from you.