Construction Planner

Role Overview

Our Client is looking to appoint an experienced Construction Planner to support the planning, programming and successful delivery of construction projects.

Working closely with Project Managers, Site Managers, commercial teams and subcontractors, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining robust project programmes, monitoring progress and identifying potential risks that could impact project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update detailed construction programmes from pre-construction through to project completion.
• Produce tender, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and completion programmes.
• Develop logical and achievable construction sequences based on drawings, specifications and project requirements.
• Undertake critical path analysis and identify activities that could impact key project milestones.
• Monitor actual progress against planned programmes and highlight delays, risks and potential programme issues.
• Work closely with Site Managers and Project Managers to ensure programmes accurately reflect site activities and progress.
• Develop short-term look-ahead programmes to support effective site delivery.
• Produce and maintain Information Required Schedules and Procurement Schedules.
• Review subcontractor programmes and ensure they integrate effectively with the overall Project Programme.
• Liaise with subcontractors and project teams regarding sequencing, interfaces, resources and programme requirements.
• Assist project teams in developing recovery and mitigation programmes where delays or issues arise.
• Assess the programme impact of proposed project changes and variations.
• Provide accurate programme information for progress meetings and management reporting.
• Produce regular programme updates, progress reports and project forecasts.
• Support tender and pre-construction teams with programme development and construction methodology.
• Identify opportunities to improve buildability, sequencing and overall project efficiency.
• Ensure accurate planning records are maintained throughout the project lifecycle.

Project Planning & Programme Management

The Construction Planner will work closely with the wider project team to ensure programmes are realistic, achievable and aligned with commercial and operational objectives.

Responsibilities will include:

• Establishing clear project milestones and key programme dates.
• Identifying dependencies between design, procurement, construction and commissioning activities.
• Monitoring critical and near-critical activities.
• Identifying potential programme risks at an early stage.
• Supporting project teams in developing appropriate mitigation measures.
• Challenging programme assumptions where appropriate.
• Monitoring subcontractor performance against agreed programmes.
• Supporting effective project coordination from mobilisation through to handover.

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Previous experience in a Construction Planner or similar project planning role.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, sequencing and project delivery.
• Experience developing and maintaining detailed construction programmes.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, specifications and bills of quantities.
• Good understanding of critical path analysis and programme risk.
• Experience monitoring project progress and reporting against agreed programmes.
• Strong knowledge of design, procurement and construction interfaces.
• Experience reviewing subcontractor programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with project and site teams.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of how programme performance can impact project costs and profitability.

Planning Software

Candidates should have experience using relevant construction planning and programming software. Experience with packages such as the following would be advantageous:

• Asta Powerproject
• Primavera P6
• Microsoft Project

Strong general IT skills, including Microsoft Office, will also be required.

Qualifications

Ideally, candidates will hold:

• HNC/HND or Degree within Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying or another relevant discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Relevant professional or technical construction qualifications would be advantageous.

Key Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised and methodical.
• Commercially aware.
• Analytical and detail-focused.
• Confident challenging programme assumptions.
• Proactive in identifying potential problems.
• Able to communicate effectively with site and senior management teams.
• Comfortable working across multiple projects and priorities.
• Capable of translating complex project information into clear and achievable programmes.