Senior Project Planner

Laing O'Rourke; Bentfield; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke seeks a Senior Project Planner for the Stansted Airport Transformation Project. You will shape and manage robust programmes for enabling and advanced works, coordinating with design, commercial, construction and supply chain teams to deliver value.

You will lead and mentor planners, drive integration across pre-construction and delivery phases, and report progress to stakeholders with clear risk-based insights.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior planning role on infrastructure or construction projects.
• Strong capability in developing and maintaining complex project programmes.
• Proficiency in NEC forms of contract and contract frameworks.
• Excellent project controls, reporting and forecasting capability.
• Experience coordinating across multidisciplinary teams and supply chain partners.
• Ability to present programme information clearly to stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop junior planners within the team.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and manage the Contract Programme and Programme to Build in line with project requirements.
• Lead planning and coordination activities across enabling and advanced works packages.
• Establish logical construction sequences to optimise time, cost and risk.
• Monitor progress, analyse performance and provide reporting with mitigation strategies.
• Produce weekly and monthly programme reports for internal and client stakeholders.
• Collaborate with design, commercial, construction and supply chain teams to align delivery.
• Provide strategic and commercial advice on programme impacts and risks.
• Contribute to procurement and construction strategies through programme development.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders, presenting programme information clearly.
• Support and mentor junior planners, contributing to team development and capability.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities to drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Cross-functional coordination

Programme development

Reporting & forecasting

Communication skills

Leadership & mentoring

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Construction Management

Degree in Civil Engineering

CIOB member (or working towards)

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Senior Project Planner | Infrastructure (Aviation)

Location: Stansted Airport, Essex (Site-based)

Shape the future of aviation infrastructure with Laing O'Rourke.

We're looking for a Senior Project Planner to play a key role in delivering the Stansted Airport Transformation Project—a major infrastructure programme that will redefine passenger experience and operational capability.

This is a senior opportunity to contribute to both pre-construction and delivery phases, supporting the successful planning and execution of enabling and advanced works. You'll be embedded within the project team from PCSA through to construction, with the opportunity to influence strategy, sequencing, and delivery outcomes.

What you'll do

As a Senior Project Planner, you'll combine technical expertise, strategic thinking, and commercial awareness to develop and manage robust project programmes. You will:

• Develop, maintain and manage the Contract Programme and Programme to Build in line with project requirements
• Lead planning and coordination activities across enabling and advanced works packages
• Establish logical, efficient construction sequences that optimise time, cost, and risk
• Monitor progress, analyse performance, and provide clear reporting with mitigation strategies
• Produce weekly and monthly programme reports for internal and client stakeholders
• Collaborate with design, commercial, construction, and supply chain teams to align programme delivery
• Provide strategic and commercial advice on programme impacts and risks
• Contribute to procurement and construction strategies through programme development
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders, presenting programme information clearly and effectively
• Support and mentor junior planners, contributing to team development and capability
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities, driving continuous improvement across planning processes

Project context

This role is based on the Stansted Airport Transformation Project,commencing in late Summer 2026.

Key elements of the works include:

• Site logistics and welfare facilities
• Early haul road and permanent services installation
• Airside/landside hoarding and boundary works
• Earthworks and groundworks
• Temporary and permanent services
• Pre-construction and delivery planning for above-ground works, including precast, steelwork, and façade systems

What we're looking for

We're looking for a planner who is delivery-focused, commercially aware, and confident operating in a complex project environment. You'll need:

• Proven experience in a senior planning role on infrastructure or construction projects
• Strong capability in developing and maintaining complex project programmes
• Proficiency in Primavera P6
• Experience working with NEC forms of contract
• Strong understanding of project controls, reporting, and forecasting
• Ability to analyse programme performance and provide clear, actionable insights
• Experience coordinating across multidisciplinary teams and supply chain partners
• Commercial awareness and understanding of programme implications on cost and risk
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present programme information clearly
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to lead, support, and mentor others

Desirable

• Experience in aviation or major infrastructure projects
• Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or similar
• Membership of CIOB (or working towards)
• Experience in pre-contract planning or work-winning activities
• Knowledge of advanced construction methodologies and techniques

About Us

Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please [e-mail]