Senior Project Planner & Planning Leader (Hybrid)

Clarke Proudly; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Hybrid working options where required

25 days holiday, enhanced entitlement

7% company pension contribution

Healthcare plan

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Clarke Energy, a Rehlko company, seeks an experienced Senior Project Planner to lead planning excellence across the Projects Department. Based at Knowsley head office with UK travel, you will own planning standards, lead a team of Planners and collaborate with PMs, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning to ensure robust programmes.

You will drive best practice, develop governance, and deliver accurate performance reports across multiple complex projects.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Senior project planning

Team leadership

Scheduling & controls

MS Project / Primavera P6

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

Engineering degree or related

PM qualification (e.g., PMP)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

MS Office

Job description

Clarke Energy, a Rehlko company, seeks an experienced Senior Project Planner to lead planning excellence across the Projects Department. Based at Knowsley head office with UK travel, you will own planning standards, lead a team of Planners and collaborate with PMs, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning to ensure robust programmes.

You will drive best practice, develop governance, and deliver accurate performance reports across multiple complex projects.