Senior Planner

Are you a seasoned and highly accomplished Senior Project Planner ready to take on a pivotal role within a multi-billion-pound rail contractor?

My client are at the forefront of delivering some of the UK's most significant and complex rail infrastructure projects. With a robust pipeline of work and an unwavering commitment to excellence, they're seeking a talented and motivated Senior Freelance Project Planner to join their dynamic team in Manchester.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead and influence the planning of truly transformative multi-disciplined projects, from initial concept through to successful delivery. You'll play a critical role in shaping the future of the UK's rail network.

As a Senior Project Planner, you'll be instrumental in:

• Developing and overseeing comprehensive, integrated project schedules for complex rail initiatives, ensuring meticulous alignment with strategic objectives and critical milestones.

• Leveraging your expert proficiency in Primavera P6 to architect robust and accurate project plans, including advanced resource loading, critical path analysis, and earned value management.

• Utilising MS Project strategically for specific project elements or smaller, self-contained work packages.

• Leading collaboration with project directors, managers, engineering leads, and key stakeholders to gather progress updates, proactively identify potential risks and opportunities, and formulate sophisticated mitigation and contingency strategies.

• Preparing and presenting executive-level project performance reports, distilling complex data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership.

• Driving effective stakeholder communication regarding project timelines, progress, and critical decision points.

• Championing best practices in project management methodologies, with a deep understanding and practical application of principles inspired by PRINCE2.

• Mentoring and guiding junior planning staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the planning function.

• Extensive experience as a Senior Project Planner, specifically within the rail or heavy infrastructure sector, demonstrating a track record of delivering large-scale, complex projects.

• Mastery in Primavera P6 for advanced project scheduling, analysis, and reporting.

• Advanced proficiency in MS Project.

• Deep understanding of multi-disciplined project environments (e.g., civils, M&E, signalling, track, OLE).

• Proven expertise in project management methodologies, with practical application of principles derived from PRINCE2.

• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills, coupled with an eagle eye for detail.

• Superior communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior leadership and diverse project teams.

• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities under pressure.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.