Senior Project Planner

Vickerstock are working in partnership with our M&E client who now have an opening for a Senior Project Planner on a full-time basis. Our client have a large and growing presence in the Data Centre space, delivering projects worldwide.

The Senior Planning Manager will provide strategic leadership for project planning activities across the business, ensuring the successful development, monitoring, and delivery of integrated project programmes. Acting as the principal planning authority, the role will support project teams throughout the full project life cycle, driving best practice, programme performance, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead planning specialist for the business unit, providing direction and guidance on all programme-related activities.
• Oversee planning functions across multiple projects, ensuring a consistent approach to scheduling standards, methodologies, systems, and reporting.
• Lead, develop, and support the planning team, fostering a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Provide expert planning input during both tendering and project delivery stages to support successful project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain fully integrated project programmes covering design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project handover phases.
• Ensure all project schedules are realistic, logically linked, contractually compliant, and aligned with client requirements and project objectives.
• Establish and manage key project milestones, critical path activities, and programme deliverables to support effective project control.
• Monitor project progress against approved baselines, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions where required.
• Produce detailed programme reports, performance dashboards, and forecasting information to support senior management decision-making.
• Conduct critical path reviews and programme assessments to identify opportunities for improved project performance and efficiency.
• Analyse programme risks, delays, and constraints, developing mitigation strategies and recovery plans to minimise project impacts.
• Collaborate closely with commercial, estimating, design, procurement, and operational teams to ensure programme alignment and delivery certainty.
• Engage with clients, subcontractors, and key stakeholders to communicate programme status, challenge schedules where necessary, and drive accountability.
• Evaluate the impact of change events, variations, and emerging risks, ensuring programme updates are accurately recorded and integrated into project controls.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in a senior planning role within construction, M&E, infrastructure, energy, EPC, or similar project environments, with responsibility for managing complex project programmes.
• Advanced proficiency in project planning and scheduling software, including Asta Powerproject, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent systems.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with the ability to interpret programme data, assess project risks, and support informed business decisions.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills, with the ability to influence teams, build relationships, and drive successful project delivery.

Desirable Criteria

• Degree-level qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Building Services, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership or accreditation with recognised bodies such as APM, PMI, CIOB, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of standard construction contracts including NEC, JCT, FIDIC, or similar forms of contract.
• Experience working within design, procurement, off-site manufacturing, prefabrication, and on-site construction environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring planning teams and implementing planning best practice initiatives.
• Flexibility to travel to project sites and client locations as required.