Lead Planner

Senior Planner
Based in Greater Manchester
Working on highways project circa £250m value
Paying between £450 - 550 per day
12 month contract (possibility of extension)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Planner / Planning Lead to join one of the UK's leading infrastructure contractors on a highways project.
This major National Highways project will create additional capacity at one of the North West's busiest motorway junctions, reducing congestion, improving journey reliability, and supporting long-term economic growth across the region.
As the Senior Planner, you will take ownership of the planning function across this complex, multi-year infrastructure programme. Working closely with the Project Director and senior leadership team, you will lead the planning strategy, manage programme controls, and ensure the successful delivery of project milestones from pre-construction through to completion.

Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the planning function across the project.
- Develop and maintain integrated project programmes aligned with business objectives.
- Provide leadership and mentoring to the planning team, supporting recruitment and professional development.
- Work closely with Project Controls to ensure programme, cost and resource plans remain fully integrated.
- Champion best practice in planning processes, reporting and project controls.
- Review programme performance, identify risks and opportunities, and implement improvement strategies.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, clients and key stakeholders.
- Support strategic planning activities, future work-winning opportunities and business development initiatives.

Requirement:
- Proven experience delivering planning services on major infrastructure or civil engineering projects.
- Strong Project Controls and Project Delivery experience within complex or highly regulated environments.
- Excellent Primavera P6 planning and scheduling capability.
- Experience interpreting estimating, scheduling, programming and risk management information.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, develop and manage planning teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to identify programme risks, develop solutions and drive project performance improvements.
- Highways or major infrastructure project experience is highly desirable.
- HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Planning or a related discipline.
- APM Project Management Qualification
- APMG Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Foundation
- APMG International Project Planning & Control Practitioner (or equivalent)
- Good understanding of Health & Safety legislation within major infrastructure projects.


This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in one of the North West's most significant highways infrastructure projects. You'll be joining a collaborative team delivering a high-profile scheme.

If you're an experienced Senior Planner looking to lead planning on a complex, high-value civil engineering project, we'd love to hear from you. If interested and you apply with your most up to date CV and one of the team will be in touch.