Senior Planner – Construction Main Contractor | Essex
1-2 Days WFH Available
£90,000 - £110,000 DOE + Car Allowance + Strong Benefits Package
We are partnering with a leading main contractor in the construction industry who are looking to appoint a Senior Construction Planner to work on a range of Tenders and Live projects from offices in the Chelmsford area. This is a key role within the company as they look to expand on an already large portfolio of projects in the area, ranging across - Education, Healthcare & MOD projects.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop detailed and methodologically sound tender programmes, sequencing works and identifying critical path activities for projects up to £100m in value.
* Support bid submissions by producing phasing plans, logistics plans, construction methodology narratives, and presentation content for client interviews.
* Produce, maintain, and update live construction programmes using Asta Powerproject, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements and site progress.
* Liaise with project managers, design managers, commercial teams, and supply chain partners to gather information, validate assumptions, and coordinate programme inputs.
* Carry out regular progress reviews onsite, identifying delays, risks, and opportunities, and propose mitigation or recovery strategies where required.
* Lead programme-related discussions with clients, consultants, and external stakeholders; clearly presenting plans, logic, and programme strategies.
* Prepare short-term programmes, lookahead schedules, and planning deliverables aligned with NEC Contract processes, including managing early warnings and compensation events where relevant.
* Support continuous improvement initiatives around planning standards, methodology development, digital planning tools, and best practice across the business.
Experience & Skills Required
* Strong, demonstrable experience in tender planning for major projects up to £100m in value within the main contracting environment.
* High level of proficiency in Asta Powerproject, with the ability to develop complex programmes from first principles.
* Practical experience working with NEC Contracts, understanding clause requirements, planning obligations, early warnings, and programme acceptance processes.
* Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to articulate construction methodology and programme logic clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
* Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, adapt to shifting priorities, and work effectively as part of a collaborative multi-disciplinary team.
* A degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred, though candidates with substantial industry experience will also be considered.
* Full UK driving licence and willingness to visit project sites as required.