Lead Planner
JOB_54033504811748Job type
TemporaryLocation
ManchesterWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
Construction - Civils ProjectsIndustry
ConstructionPay
NegotiableClosing date
24 Jul 2026
Lead Planner – Highways Project
Your new company
A leading Contractor delivering major infrastructure and highways programmes across the UK is seeking an experienced Planning Lead to join their growing team. Working on complex projects and programmes, you will play a pivotal role in driving planning excellence, ensuring programme visibility, and supporting successful project delivery within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Your new role
As Planning Lead, you will take overall responsibility for the planning function across a programme of works, providing strategic leadership and oversight to ensure successful delivery.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and managing the planning team across complex projects and programmes.
- Developing and implementing the planning strategy, standards, tools and processes.
- Defining resource requirements, supporting recruitment, and developing planning capability within the team.
- Working closely with Project and Programme Managers to ensure business case benefits and outcomes are achieved.
- Overseeing integration between planning and project control functions to maintain alignment with financial objectives.
- Monitoring programme performance, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and supporting strategic engagement activities.
- Ensuring programme reporting accurately reflects project status and performance.
- Driving the adoption of planning best practice across the organisation.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Significant experience within Project Controls and/or Project Delivery, ideally within a highly regulated environment.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to prioritise workloads, delegate effectively and develop team capability.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a proactive and innovative approach.
- Experience interpreting estimating, scheduling, programming and risk management tools.
- The ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and build strong professional networks.
- HNC/HND, degree qualification, or equivalent experience within a planning-related discipline.
Desirable experience and qualifications include:
- Highways sector experience.
- Business development, work-winning or client engagement experience.
- Experience developing and presenting sales propositions.
- Knowledge of Power BI and other reporting tools.
- Understanding of relevant Health and Safety legislation.
- APM Project Management Qualification.
- APMG Managing Successful Programmes (Foundation).
- APMG International Project Planning and Control Practitioner or equivalent.
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).
What you'll get in return
- Competitive day rate.
- Opportunity to work on high-profile infrastructure and highways programmes.
- Long-term contract opportunity with a respected organisation.
- Exposure to complex, challenging projects and major stakeholders.
- Flexible working arrangements and a collaborative team environment.
- The chance to influence planning strategy and drive best practice across significant programmes of work.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, and email [email protected]
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Lead PlannerJOB_540335048117482026-07-072026-07-24
Talk to Sam Burns, the specialist consultant managing this position
Located in Preston, Part 1st floor, Guildhall House, Guildhall StreetTelephone 01772204428Click here to access our Privacy Policy, which provides detailed information on how we use and protect your personal information, and your rights in relation to this.
JOB_54033504811748