Job Description
Main purpose of job:
The Head of Planning will lead the planning function across Keltbray’s Built Environment division, ensuring the development, coordination, and delivery of robust, compliant, and optimised programme solutions across all project stages—from pre‑contract through delivery and close‑out.
The role requires close collaboration with commercial, preconstruction, design, and operational teams to ensure that programmes are realistic, resource‑balanced, risk‑assessed, and aligned with business and client expectations. The Head of Planning will also be responsible for developing planning standards, elevating digital planning capability, driving continuous improvement, and developing a high‑performing planning team.
Main Duties
Summary
* Team management – the ability to select, develop and manage teams.
* Conflict management – the ability to identify, address and resolve differences between individuals and/or interest groups.
* Leadership – the ability to empower and inspire others to deliver successful change initiatives.
* Risk, opportunity, and issue management – the ability to identify and monitor risks (threats and opportunities), to plan and implement responses to those risks, and respond to other issues that affect the change initiative.
* Consolidated planning – the ability to consolidate and document the fundamental components of a change initiative: scope; schedule; resource requirements; budgets; risks; opportunities and issues; and quality requirements.
* Governance arrangements – the ability to establish and maintain governance structures that define clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for governance and delivery of change initiatives and align with organisational practice.
* Clients, stakeholders, and communications management – the ability to manage stakeholders, taking account of their levels of influence and particular interests.
* Reviews – the ability to establish and manage reviews at appropriate points, during and after change initiatives, which will inform governance of the change initiatives, by providing evaluations of progress, methodologies, and continuing relevance.
* Change control – the ability to establish protocols to alter the scope of change initiatives, implementing the protocols when necessary, and updating configuration documentation, including contracts to develop, maintain and apply quality management processes for change initiative activities and outputs.
* Budgeting and cost control – the ability to develop and agree budgets for change initiatives, and to control forecast and actual costs against the budget.
Role Specifics
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
* Essential
* Extensive planning experience within construction, civil engineering, demolition, or ground engineering.
* Proven leadership experience managing planning teams across large, complex projects.
* Strong technical knowledge of construction methodologies, sequencing, logistics, and temporary works.
* Highly proficient in planning software including Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, BIM‑integrated planning tools, and 4D planning platforms.
* Strong commercial awareness and understanding of the link between programme, cost, and risk.
* Ability to produce, review, and defend detailed programme narratives and critical path methodologies.
* Experience managing complex interfaces (rail, highways, utilities, façade retention, temporary works, etc.).
* Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet critical deadlines.
* Desirable
* Experience in demolition, complex groundworks, or heavy civil engineering environments.
* Experience developing and delivering 4D simulations and digital rehearsals.
* Chartered membership (ICE, CIOB, APM) or equivalent professional status.
Leadership & Strategy
* Develop and implement the planning strategy across pre‑contract and delivery stages.
* Ensure project planning outcomes support business objectives for safety, productivity, sustainability, and commercial success.
* Champion programme certainty, programme realism, and disciplined planning governance.
Programme Development & Assurance
* Oversee the preparation of tender and contract programmes, logistics plans, and phasing strategies.
* Review and challenge all project programmes to ensure technical robustness, feasibility, and alignment with project methodology.
* Conduct programme assurance reviews at tender, contract award, delivery, and change stages.
* Ensure all planning outputs comply with contractual obligations and client requirements.
Risk, Scenario & Methodology Planning
* Lead the development of scenario planning, what‑if analysis, and productivity modelling.
* Identify and quantify risks and opportunities affecting project timescales.
* Support operational teams in developing mitigation strategies.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
* Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on planning and sequencing.
* Present programme information clearly and credibly to clients, partners, and technical stakeholders.
* Influence project outcomes by representing planning considerations at all stages.
Digital Planning & Innovation
* Promote and implement best‑in‑class planning tools including 4D/5D planning and digital rehearsal.
* Drive adoption of digital planning methods, data-driven productivity forecasting, and integrated BIM workflows.
* Keep abreast of industry advancements, new methodologies, and digital technologies.
Team Leadership & Development
* Lead, mentor, and develop the planning team, ensuring continuous growth in technical capability.
* Conduct training needs analysis and implement planning competency programmes.
* Build a strong, collaborative planning community across projects.
Experience
Essential
* Extensive planning experience within construction, civil engineering, demolition, or ground engineering.
* Proven leadership experience managing planning teams across large, complex projects.
* Strong technical knowledge of construction methodologies, sequencing, logistics, and temporary works.
* Highly proficient in planning software including Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, BIM‑integrated planning tools, and 4D planning platforms.
* Strong commercial awareness and understanding of the link between programme, cost, and risk.
* Ability to produce, review, and defend detailed programme narratives and critical path methodologies.
* Experience managing complex interfaces (rail, highways, utilities, façade retention, temporary works, etc.).
* Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet critical deadlines.
Desirable
* Experience in demolition, complex groundworks, or heavy civil engineering environments.
* Experience developing and delivering 4D simulations and digital rehearsals.
* Chartered membership (ICE, CIOB, APM) or equivalent professional status.
Diversity & Inclusion
We advocate for difference and champion diversity to foster an inclusive environment that allows our people to bring their true selves to their work every day and enable our people to thrive by promoting health and preventing harm. Keltbray welcomes everyone who shares our values, regardless of their age, belief, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, maternity status, marital status, pregnancy, religion, sex or sexual orientation.