Senior Project Planner

Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It's a diverse and inclusive work environment where world-class talent knows no distinctions. We know that different people have different priorities, which is why we're here to support you. Flexible and remote working is a central part of our culture. So, talk to us about what's ideal for you - from reduced weeks to buying more leave over school holidays. And if you're returning from a career break, ask us how we can help you transition back into work with us. AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty and Egis Road Operations UK are part of a consortium, creating Connect Plus Services, a unique partnership with a collective strength in highways asset care from finance, through to design, build, maintenance as well as day to day operation.

This role is central to creating, maintaining and communicating project delivery schedules using specialist planning tools (including MS Project and Primavera P6) to ensure that projects are delivered on time. The Senior Project Planner will work closely with Portfolio Managers and their teams to produce accurate and reliable project schedules. They will also produce regular reports showing progress compared to agreed baselines, showing reasons for deviation. An important part of this role is also to support the Commercial team in assessing the impact of Compensation Events under the NEC contract. Using the project schedule, they will make assessments of changes, including Extensions of Time and communicate clearly and in an evidence-based manner on the results of this analysis.

Your Purpose:

• Set up projects in the planning system according to standard WBS codes and the Enterprise Project Structure (EPS).
• Establish a delivery baseline for the project as follows: Initial baseline - based on AMFP (Renewals), Linear / Structural Inspections or HE agreed dates (Improvements).
• Create new baselines as necessary to monitor and report performance.
• Ensure the monthly cost forecast and programme schedule align and the delivery assumptions in both the commercial forecast and schedule forecast are matching.
• Progress the programme on a monthly basis using information and reports from site, as well as contractor applications/reports/progress updates - query any discrepancies as necessary with the Project Manager.
• Provide the Project Manager with (at least) a monthly update of the delivery programme in an agreed format.
• Provide summary management information on programme performance by project/programme/portfolio.
• Review contractor programmes (as a requirement of the NEC contract) for completeness/accuracy/functionality and feed comments back to the Project Manager for action with the Contractor.
• Undertake programme assessments of Compensation Events on behalf of the Project Manager, advising on any valid Extensions of Time, together with providing clear evidence to support decisions and commercial discussions.
• Analyse schedule information for trends and issues - for example, trends in late achievement of project stages, overall delivery predictability.
• Use the schedule information to create schedule benchmarks for future projects from previous actual schedule data.
• Ensure that common coding structures are applied throughout the programme to allow reporting.

What you can bring:

• Educated to A-level standard or equivalent, preferably including mathematics or technically-base subjects.
• Experienced in the use of project planning and scheduling software (such as Primavera P6 or MS Project).
• Experience of working with NEC contracts preferred.
• Experience of working in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge and experience of handling large volumes of data with the ability to summarise key points and trends.
• Highly organised and able to handle many ongoing priorities without impact on outputs.

Inspiring : Champions curiosity and continuous improvement, role modelling change and managing risks to achieve project outcomes.

Energising: Role models positive and energised project focussed attitudes towards and continuous improvement.

Challenging : seeks and advocates improvements to add value and drive continuous performance.

Challengeable : Encourage a culture of skilled challenging and seek to understand and explore challenge to enable improvement.

Influencing : Builds commitment and consensus, and role models CPS leadership behaviours to deliver our goals.

Why Work for Us?

At Connect Plus Services (CPS), you'll be part of a world-class team maintaining and operating the M25, Europe's busiest motorway. As a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Atkins, and Egis, we play a vital role in keeping millions of journeys moving safely and efficiently.

A Career Like No Other

Working on the M25 offers unrivalled experience, challenges, and opportunities that no other highways project can provide. You'll be exposed to cutting-edge technology, large-scale infrastructure, and complex engineering solutions, making every day dynamic and rewarding.

Long-Term Stability & Growth

With 15+ years remaining on this project, we offer career stability, professional development, and progression opportunities. Whether you're looking to build new skills or take the next step in your career, we invest in your growth.

A Supportive & Inclusive Team

At CPS, your contributions matter. We foster a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment where safety, innovation, and teamwork drive everything we do.

Location:

This is a hybrid role designed to fully maximize team collaboration on the project, we offer flexible working where you will typically be working from your base CPS office, Leatherhead, Dartford or South Mimms up to three days per week and two days from home.

Note to all internal CPS employees:

If you are interested in applying, please submit your application through your parent company's careers portal by entering the job title in the search bar. If your employing company is not advertising this role, please submit your CV and the role title to