Project Planner
Salary: upto £75K
Location: Manchester / Birmingham / Hybrid

Purpose of the Role

As a Senior Project Planner, you will lead and develop the planning function within SLC Rail, ensuring high-quality project planning, scheduling, and reporting across a range of rail projects.

Working closely with Project Managers, Design Managers, Project Services, and clients, you will create, monitor, and maintain project programmes, providing accurate progress updates, identifying risks, and supporting successful project delivery.

You will also help develop the company's planning capability, promote best practice, and contribute to winning and delivering projects.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the planning team.

• Grow the planning capability and strengthen the company's client offering.

• Promote consistent planning standards and best practices across the business.

• Clearly communicate roles, expectations, and responsibilities within the planning function.

Project Planning

• Develop detailed project programmes with clear logic and sequencing.

• Produce accurate project schedules using information from multiple stakeholders.

• Ensure programmes include: Resources and skills, Materials planning, Critical path analysis, Milestones, Risk and mitigation plans, Maintain and regularly update project programmes throughout the project lifecycle.

Project Controls & Reporting

• Monitor project progress against the programme.

• Identify critical path activities and potential delays

• Produce planning reports to support project teams and senior management.

• Keep stakeholders informed of project status, risks, and key issues.

• Support Project Managers in assessing the programme impact of project decisions.

Contract & Tender Support

• Support the preparation of tender programmes.

• Review contractor programmes during tender evaluation.

• Monitor and assess programmes following contract award.

• Assist with programme requirements during contract administration.

Systems & Collaboration

• Support the implementation and effective use of project and contract management systems.

• Work closely with Project Services, Project Managers, Design Managers, and other business functions.

• Build strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all planning activities comply with company policies and procedures.

• Promote safe working practices in line with SLC Rail's Health & Safety Policy.

• Ensure planning activities do not introduce unacceptable business or safety risks.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and team development skills.

• Primavera P6  

• Excellent planning and organisational abilities.

• Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Able to prioritise workload and perform well under pressure.

• High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proactive, collaborative, and focused on continuous improvement.