Programme Planner
Salary: £55,;per annum
Location: Hybrid - based, with travel expected to Head Office in Westminster and sites across the South of England
Contract: Temporary | Fixed Term 18 Months | Full time
About the Role
We are seeking a highly capable Programme Planner to play a central role in supporting GFSL’s largescale Transition and Demobilisation Programme. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile public sector transformation, shaping the planning framework that will guide GFSL’s transition activities over the coming years.
You will lead on building the Transition Programme Plan, support project managers in constructing detailed and realistic project plans, and ensure that programme milestones, interdependencies and resource needs are mapped out accurately.
This role suits someone who brings strong public-sector knowledge, confidence working with senior stakeholders, and the ability to analyse data and challenge assumptions to ensure plans are deliverable.
We are a Ministry of Justice business and provide critical and time-bound services to HMPPS, and are looking for a Programme Planner to:
1. Lead development of the Transition Programme Plan and support project managers with project‑level planning.
2. Challenge planning assumptions, define deliverables and quality criteria, and ensure timelines remain realistic.
3. Support resource smoothing/levelling and maintain planning tools, templates and documentation.
4. Present plans at senior governance boards for approval.
5. Support risk and issue management, including analysis, mitigation and contingency planning, and ensure robust logs across all projects.
6. Identify resource requirements and contribute to programme‑wide resourcing plans.
7. Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and ensure their needs are reflected in plans.
8. Use digital tools and data analysis to validate plans, forecast timelines and highlight risks, opportunities and impacts.
To thrive in this role and support the programme’s success, you’ll bring:
9. Experience as a Programme or Project Planner
10. Proficiency in Microsoft Project
11. Strong organisational skills and effective stakeholder engagement
12. High attention to detail and accuracy
13. Experience working in structured programme/project environments
14. An understanding of project and programme management methodologies
15. Public‑sector or government‑programme experience (advantageous)
16. Critical Path Analysis (CPA) experience
17. Experience supporting organisational transitions or service demobilisation
18. MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner or APM PMQ qualification
19. APMG Project Planning & Control Practitioner (advantageous)
Why Join GFSL?
At GFSL, you'll work on meaningful, high impact projects that support critical projects that support Ministry of Justice and HMPPS operations. You’ll find an inclusive, supportive environment with opportunities to develop professionally and contribute to a major organisational transformation.
Explore a varied and rewarding career at GFSL.
Welcome to careers at Gov Facilities Services Limited (GFSL). Joining us is your chance to help ensure prisons are secure and safe for prisoners and prison staff alike, and to play your part in helping prisoners reintegrate into society.
Holidays are 25 days per year plus Bank Holidays, and a range of non-contractual benefits are provided. These range from Death in Service at 4x salary, to access to private GP consultations and an Employee Assistance Programme that offers counselling and information services for preventative care and to help employees in a crisis. There are also a range of financial reward mechanisms and access to retailer discounts.
You will find a strong focus on safety, a supportive, inclusive workplace, a competitive benefits package, and real opportunity to build your skills and progress.
Explore facilities careers where you can make difference.
Pride In People.
We’re passionate about promoting greater diversity and creating a workplace and culture where all our employees have a voice that is heard, feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to be their true selves.
We recognise the value that every single employee brings to the organisation. Everyone’s needs at work are different and we are committed to doing our best to satisfy these differences whilst ensuring consistency and fairness for all. We promise to champion diversity and inclusion with ongoing learning and training, as well as career progression opportunities for everyone.
Future Plans.
GFSL has been notified by its shareholder (MOJ) that the provision of FM Services will in future be delivered by the private sector. This means that following a successful procurement process, GFSL's services will complete transfer to a private sector provider/providers no sooner than August 2027.
Pride in People - Do the Right thing - One Team
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