Senior Project Planner - SC cleared, SAP
Senior Project Planner - SC cleared, SAP
The location of the role is Portsmouth.
The duration of the contract is 6 months.
The pay rate on offer is £500 - £650 per day (via Umbrella agency - inside IR35).
Role Summary
Your primary role will be to provide expert planning and scheduling support for the SAP Neptune programme, ensuring robust governance, accurate forecasting, and alignment with organisational standards. This role is critical to maintaining schedule integrity, managing dependencies, and supporting successful delivery across multiple workstreams.
Key accountabilities of the role
* Programme Planning & Scheduling
* Develop and maintain integrated programme and project schedules using MS Project and other planning tools.
* Ensure accurate forecasting for milestones, resources, and costs.
* Manage dependencies across workstreams and identify critical paths.
* Governance & Compliance
* Embed planning standards and processes in line with PMO governance.
* Support Earned Value Management (EVM) and Demand Over Resource (DOR) reporting.
* Provide timely and accurate progress reports to stakeholders.
* Risk & Issue Management
* Identify schedule risks and variances early, recommending corrective actions.
* Support change control processes and maintain schedule integrity during scope changes.
* Resource & Cost Management
* Incorporate resource allocation and cost data into plans.
* Assist in forecasting and managing budgets within programme constraints.
* Collaboration & Mentoring
* Work closely with Project Managers, PMO, and delivery teams to ensure planning consistency.
* Provide training and guidance on planning tools and best practices.
Qualification and Experience
* Experience supporting SAP implementation projects, including integration planning and schedule coordination across multiple workstreams.
* Minimum of two years’ demonstrable Project planning experience
* Microsoft Project Professional and Microsoft Project Server experience essential
* PRINCE/APM or equivalent certification
Technical & Specialist Knowledge
* Expert user of Microsoft Project Professional and Microsoft Project Server
* Good understanding of Project Management process and developing Project Plans
* Pronounced analytical and planning skills coupled with an independent, objective and process-orientated way of working
* Excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable working in teams and confident in dealing with customers/users
* Understanding of importance of commercial constraints
* Strong diplomacy and negotiation skills
* Self-motivated, able to plan and schedule own work within a limited time horizon
* Solid written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
* Ability to work under time pressure
* Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
* Impeccable attention to detail, with excellent organisational and time management skills
* Experience supporting and mentoring other staff, including Junior Project Managers and PMO Administrators
* Experience in forecasting and managing project resources and budgets within project/programme plans