Planner / Senior Planner
Location: Durham with UK-wide site visits
The Role
Responsible for producing and managing construction programmes from tender stage through to project completion, ensuring coordination between design, fabrication, and site erection. The role supports project performance through effective planning, progress monitoring, risk identification, and programme management.
Key Responsibilities
Preconstruction Planning
Develop tender and preconstruction programmes aligned with client requirements
Establish construction strategies covering design release, procurement, fabrication, and erection
Assess sequencing and methodologies to determine the most efficient and buildable approach
Review outline programmes to identify risks, constraints, and unrealistic assumptions
Support bid submissions with programme input, phasing, and narratives
Identify key constraints, risks, and opportunities at an early stage
Construction Planning (Post-Award)
Develop and manage detailed contract programmes following award
Produce and maintain dropline / flowline programmes for fabrication output and erection sequencing
Coordinate subcontract trades within construction programmes
Review project programmes and propose practical, buildable solutions
Establish design release schedules, fabrication priorities, and erection phasing
Maintain short-term lookahead programmes and update progress regularly
Progress Monitoring & Reporting
Monitor progress against programme and key milestones
Track fabrication and erection performance against planned outputs
Identify and manage the critical path
Produce programme reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders
Delay, Risk & Recovery
Analyse delays and programme risks and assess impacts
Develop mitigation measures and recovery strategies
Support Extension of Time submissions and programme-based entitlement
Maintain auditable programme records
Coordination & Communication
Work with design, fabrication, and site teams to manage interfaces and resolve issues
Engage with clients, contractors, and project teams during progress meetings
Promote a proactive, solutions-focused approach to programme management
Requirements
Experience in a planning role within structural steelwork, heavy construction, or main contracting
Strong understanding of tender-stage and construction-phase planning
Experience using dropline or production-based planning methods
Experience integrating subcontract trades within programmes
Familiarity with JCT and NEC contracts, including programme obligations and entitlement
Proficiency in Microsoft Project
Ability to work with or transition to Asta Powerproject
Ability to use Primavera P6 where required
Strong Excel capability
Experience with 4D planning or modelling tools advantageous
Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills
Understanding of programme impact on cost, risk, and commercial outcomes
What You’ll Bring
Ability to develop realistic and buildable programmes
Confidence to challenge assumptions and improve programme logic
Proactive approach to identifying issues and driving solutions
Strong commercial awareness and ability to support project outcomes
What’s Offered
Opportunity to work on major, complex projects across the UK
Involvement in both tender strategy and live project execution
Strong pipeline of work and experienced delivery team