Planning Manager

Planning Manager - Major Defence Programme

Location: East Midlands (Rutland)
Salary: Up to £110,000 + 15% Bonus + Excellent Benefits
Working Pattern: Hybrid / Site-Based

The Opportunity

We're partnering with one of the UK's leading construction and infrastructure businesses to recruit an experienced Planning Manager for a flagship Defence Programme in the East Midlands.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in the successful delivery of a high-profile, long-term public sector programme involving the construction and refurbishment of critical defence infrastructure. You'll lead the planning function on a complex project, working alongside senior stakeholders in a secure, highly regulated environment where planning excellence is fundamental to project success.

If you're looking for a role that offers genuine project complexity, long-term security, and an outstanding salary and benefits package, we'd love to hear from you.

The Programme

You'll provide planning leadership across a portfolio of new-build and refurbishment projects, including:

Modern living, working and training facilities
Specialist military and operational buildings
Secure storage and logistics infrastructure
Sustainable infrastructure delivered within live operational environmentsThe Role

As Planning Manager, you'll take ownership of programme strategy and project controls, ensuring robust planning processes are implemented throughout the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing project planning strategies for both pre-construction and live projects.
Producing and maintaining detailed project programmes using Primavera P6.
Working closely with project teams to develop efficient construction methodologies and delivery strategies.
Monitoring project performance against contractual programmes and reporting progress to senior stakeholders.
Producing planning reports, dashboards and project controls information.
Supporting the development of short and medium-term programmes.
Leading planning meetings and coordinating programme updates across the project team.
Assessing change events, delays and programme impacts.
Carrying out delay analysis and maintaining accurate programme records.
Coordinating 4D BIM planning activities alongside the BIM team.
Promoting programme ownership across project teams.
Mentoring and supporting junior planning professionals.
Driving continuous improvement across planning processes and procedures.About You

We're looking for an experienced construction planner with strong technical planning expertise and excellent stakeholder management skills.

You'll ideally have:

Essential Skills

Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to communicate complex planning information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
Advanced Excel skills, including formulas and Pivot Tables.
Strong PowerPoint skills.
Experience using 4D BIM software.Essential Knowledge

Strong understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing and project delivery.
Knowledge of pre-construction processes and procurement routes.
Good understanding of standard construction contracts and commercial principles.
Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6.
Strong understanding of Critical Path Analysis (CPA) and project controls.Essential Experience

Significant experience planning major construction projects.
Experience working under various forms of construction contract.
Proven experience using Primavera P6 in a live project environment.
Experience across multiple construction sectors is desirable.Personal Attributes

Confident challenging programme assumptions where appropriate.
Collaborative approach with excellent stakeholder management skills.
Analytical, organised and solutions-focused.
Committed to delivering high-quality planning and project controls.What's on Offer?

Basic salary up to £110,000
Annual bonus of up to 15%
Car allowance
Generous employer pension contribution
Private medical insurance
Life assurance
25 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell additional days
3 additional wellbeing days
Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support, counselling and coaching
Discounted gym membership at over 2,500 UK locations
Industry-leading parental leave
Long-term career progression with one of the UK's leading infrastructure organisations Apply

If you're an experienced Planning Manager looking to work on one of the UK's most significant defence construction programmes, we'd love to speak with you.

Apply today or contact us for a confidential discussion
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed