Project Planning Manager

MPI Limited; Cork; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MPI Limited is seeking a Project Planning Manager in Cork to develop, control and report on integrated onboard ETCS programmes. You will coordinate across Fleet Engineering, Installation, Suppliers, Test & Commissioning, Vehicle Availability, and the Customer to align train-based activities with depot access and operational constraints.

The role offers autonomous planning and mentorship for junior planners.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a project planning or scheduling role.
• Proven ability to develop and control complex multi-unit programmes.
• Strong knowledge of Primavera P6 with resource and cost loading.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) including SPI, CPI and forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain fully logic-linked project programmes for ETCS Onboard projects, covering design, equipment, installation, testing, commissioning and fleet relevance.
• Integrate supplier and third-party plans into a single Master Schedule and perform regular progress forecasting.
• Lead and mentor a small team of planners (1–3) and ensure planning standards are followed.
• Coordinate planning interfaces across engineering, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and fleet rollout.

Skills

Project planning

Scheduling

Stakeholder management

Analytics

Team leadership

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Job description

MPI are looking for a Project Planning Manager

• Based in Cork
• Salary TBC

Position Overview

The Project Planning Manager will be responsible for the development, control, and reporting of integrated onboard ETCS programmes, covering engineering, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and fleet rollout activities.

The role requires close coordination across Fleet Engineering, Installation, Suppliers, Test & Commissioning, Vehicle Availability, and the Customer, ensuring train-based activities are aligned with depot access, possessions, and operational constraints.

The Project Planning Manager will operate with a high degree of autonomy, producing accurate and timely plans and performance reports, while also mentoring and managing junior planners within a complex, multi-unit programme environment.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Development & Control

• Develop and maintain fully logic-linked project programmes for ETCS Onboard projects, covering:
• Design and engineering maturity
• Equipment supply and logistics
• Vehicle availability and depot access
• Installation and integration
• Testing, commissioning, and approvals
• Produce train-based and fleet-level schedules, ensuring repeatable and scalable planning logic across multiple units.
• Incorporate resource loading, materials planning, cost loading, and Earned Value Management (EVM) into project programmes using Primavera P6.
• Integrate supplier and third-party plans into a single, coherent Master Schedule.
• Continuously monitor programme progress and ensure schedules accurately reflect installation, testing, and commissioning status at both vehicle and fleet level.

Programme Risk & Performance Management

• Identify and analyse critical paths, programme risks, and schedule constraints relating to:
• Vehicle access and availability
• Late design changes
• Supplier performance
• Test and commissioning readiness
• Depot access and operational constraints
• Support the development and implementation of mitigation plans to protect key milestones, including fleet entry into service, trial operation, and customer acceptance.
• Produce regular programme performance reports covering schedule performance, SPI, CPI, forecast completion dates, and key programme risks.
• Provide accurate schedule analysis and forecasting to support project and customer decision-making.

Stakeholder & Delivery Coordination

• Facilitate planning and progress workshops with Work Package Managers, Fleet Engineering, Test & Commissioning, Installation teams, suppliers, and other key stakeholders.
• Support depot and commissioning planning, including night work, weekend working, possessions, and key commissioning events.
• Coordinate planning interfaces across engineering, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, vehicle availability, and fleet rollout activities.
• Ensure programme information is communicated clearly and consistently across project teams and management.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure programmes comply with company planning procedures, project controls standards, and contractual requirements.
• Support the Planning Manager with planning audits, business requests, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote consistent planning standards, processes, and reporting methodologies across the programme.
• Maintain high-quality planning data and ensure programme information is accurate, current, and auditable.

Team Leadership

• Line manage and mentor a small team of planners, typically 1-3 planners.
• Provide guidance and support to junior planners, ensuring consistent application of planning standards and methodologies.
• Review planning outputs to ensure they meet required standards for quality, accuracy, and completeness.
• Support the development of planning capability within the wider project team.

Postholder Requirements

Essential

• Extensive experience in a project planning or scheduling role, ideally within rail rolling stock, signalling, ETCS, or onboard systems.
• Proven experience developing and controlling complex, multi-unit programmes.
• Expert knowledge of Primavera P6, including resource loading and cost loading.
• Strong understanding and practical application of Earned Value Management (EVM), including SPI, CPI, and forecasting.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with engineering, installation, suppliers, customers, and project management teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working on the contractor or system integrator side of project delivery.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities within a complex programme environment.
• Strong understanding of project controls, programme management, and schedule risk.

Desirable

• Experience delivering ETCS Onboard projects or other train-based signalling/rail systems.
• Experience within rolling stock modification, retrofit, or fleet upgrade programmes.
• Knowledge of rail possession, depot access, testing, commissioning, and fleet introduction processes.
• Experience working with customer acceptance, entry-into-service, or operational trial milestones.
• Formal project planning, project controls, or programme management qualification