Senior Project Planner

Frontdoor Defense; West Kirby; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/onsite options

Competitive salary

25 days holiday

Pension

Healthcare

Job summary

Clarke Energy is seeking a Senior Project Planner to lead planning excellence across the Projects Department. You will own planning standards and controls, ensuring robust, accurate programmes that underpin successful delivery across EPC projects.

You will lead a team of Project Planners, collaborating with Project Managers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning to improve predictability and performance.

Qualifications

• Proven senior planning experience in engineering/construction/EPC environments.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project and Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of project controls, programme management and scheduling methodologies.
• Experience leading planning teams across multiple projects.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and overseas as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Project Planning team with day-to-day direction and guidance.
• Develop planning capability through coaching and structured development.
• Establish planning standards, templates and controls for consistency across projects.
• Drive best practice in scheduling, programme management and project controls.
• Conduct programme reviews and planning audits to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Provide reporting on programme status and KPI performance to senior management.

Skills

Senior planning experience

Planning leadership

Stakeholder management

Planning governance

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Job description

Senior Project Planner

Develop and maintain robust project programmes across multiple EPC projects to improve delivery performance

Location: West Kirby, England

About The Role

Senior Project Planner

Join Clarke Energy as a Senior Project Planner

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Senior Project Planner to lead planning excellence across Clarke Energy's Projects Department. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of project planning standards, processes and controls, ensuring that programmes are robust, accurate and provide a reliable foundation for successful project delivery.

As a senior member of the Projects team, you will lead and develop a team of Project Planners while working closely with Project Managers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning teams. Your expertise will help drive improved project predictability, stronger controls and enhanced delivery performance across a diverse portfolio of complex engineering and construction projects.

The role is primarily based at our Knowsley head office, with regular travel to project sites throughout the UK and occasional overseas travel as required.

Key Responsibilities

Planning Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and manage the Project Planning team, providing day-to-day direction, support and technical guidance.
• Develop planning capability across the department through coaching, mentoring and structured development programmes.
• Establish and maintain planning standards, procedures and templates to ensure consistency across all projects.
• Drive best practice in project scheduling, programme management and project controls methodologies.
• Conduct programme reviews and planning audits to maintain programme quality, integrity and accuracy.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the team.

Project Planning & Controls

• Oversee the development, maintenance and control of project programmes covering engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction, commissioning and handover activities.
• Ensure all project schedules are developed in accordance with contractual obligations, project execution plans and company standards.
• Implement robust project controls processes, including progress measurement, schedule forecasting and change management.
• Ensure programme updates are completed accurately and issued within agreed reporting timescales.
• Develop and maintain project portfolio dashboards, look-ahead schedules and performance reporting.
• Conduct detailed programme analysis, including critical path assessment and schedule risk analysis.
• Monitor performance across multiple projects, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.

Project Delivery Support

• Work closely with Project Managers, Engineers, Procurement teams, Site Managers, subcontractors and Commissioning teams to develop realistic and achievable delivery plans.
• Identify programme risks, constraints, delays and opportunities, supporting the development of mitigation and recovery plans.
• Assess and communicate schedule impacts arising from variations, delays and changes in project scope.
• Support commercial teams with delay analysis and extension of time assessments where required.
• Attend project reviews and senior management meetings, providing clear reporting on programme status, risks and key performance indicators.
• Support lessons learned activities and ensure planning improvements are embedded across future projects.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Build strong working relationships across internal departments and with external stakeholders.
• Provide clear, accurate and timely reporting to senior management on project and portfolio performance.
• Ensure planning information is presented in a meaningful way to support effective decision making.
• Act as the planning subject matter expert, providing guidance and support across the wider Projects function.

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• Proven experience in a senior planning role within engineering, construction or EPC project environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project and/or Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of project controls, programme management and scheduling methodologies.
• Experience developing and managing complex project programmes across multiple concurrent projects.
• Good understanding of civil construction, mechanical and/or electrical engineering principles.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs and general arrangement drawings.
• Knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• Strong analytical skills with experience of critical path and schedule risk analysis.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general IT systems.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK and occasionally overseas as required.

Desirable Experience

• Degree, HND or HNC in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Controls or a related discipline.
• Experience within the power generation, energy or industrial engineering sectors.
• Knowledge of project delivery within EPC contracting environments.
• Experience leading and developing planning teams.
• Familiarity with delay analysis and extension of time assessments.

The Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Generous car allowance
• 25 days holiday, with enhanced entitlement based on length of service
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• 7% company pension contribution
• Healthcare cash plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Hybrid working options where appropriate
• Reward and recognition schemes
• Professional development and investment in employees
• In-house certified training department

About Clarke Energy

Clarke Energy, a Rehlko company, is an award-winning multinational specialist in the engineering, installation and maintenance of sustainable energy solutions. We are recognised for delivering high-quality installations backed by reliable, accountable aftersales support, and we are the largest authorised distributor and service provider for INNIO's reciprocating engine products across 29 territories.

Our culture is built on integrity, technical excellence and high ethical standards. We take pride in delivering complex engineering projects while supporting our customers in the transition to low-carbon, resilient energy solutions.

Ready to make an impact?

If you are an experienced project planning professional who thrives on improving project performance, developing planning capability and delivering planning excellence across a complex project portfolio, we would love to hear from you. Join Clarke Energy and play a key role in delivering critical energy infrastructure projects that power a more sustainable future.

About Us

Clarke proudly offers a rich history steeped in creativity and commitment to our associates and communities, along with competitive benefits and compensation. Our Purpose—Creating an energy resilient world for a better future—and Values: Curiosity, Trust, Pace, and Excellence, are important cultural components that shape the way we work and relate to one another. Learn more about Clarke at https://www.rehlko.com/who-we-are. In addition to the investment in your development, Clarke offers a comprehensive package with competitive salaries and a range of additional benefits. Clarke is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and will make decisions regarding employment opportunities, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination, promote equal opportunities in every aspect of our process.

Our Values

Curiosity – Seek, learn, share Trust – Go farther together Pace – Focus to go faster Excellence – Find the win every day