Senior Planner

Application Deadline: 15 November 2026

Department: Delivery

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Capability to build a schedule from first principles working with team leads to develop activities, dependencies and logic, and ability to communicate the schedule through Project on a page and other visual aids.  

• Review of logic, dependencies, durations and interfaces.  
• Carry out schedule quality checks and fix as appropriate such as float, logic and use of constraints.  
• Scrutinise and report on main contractor p6 programmes. 
• Ensure all plans are in line with the EWR Planning Procedure.  
• Review and report against all milestones.  
• Document and maintain schedule assumptions and risks.  
• Support the development of a Baseline Schedule Narrative.

• Review and update forecasts for the DfT, TOC, Alliance and other component parts of the schedule.  
• Review and accept programme submissions under the NEC as required.  
• Provide supporting reports and interface with other reporting tools on schedule performance as required.  
• Implement Earned value as required. 
• Integrate all aspects of the programme, maintaining a clear understanding of programme logic and dependencies.  
• Identify and report against critical activities, paths and float.  
• Support the development of working processes and procedures e.g. codes.  
• Maintain schedule assumptions and risks.  

• Coordinate resource allocation, monitor utilisation, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation strategies to address project schedule impacts. 
• Track project progress against the baseline schedule, prepare and present regular progress reports, including critical path analysis, to stakeholders and senior management. 
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, contractors, and clients to ensure alignment and effective communication of project timelines and milestones. 
• Provide guidance and support to junior planners and team members.  
• Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including: coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence. Leading continuous improvement, through regular performance management and ensuring compliance with organisation policies and updating relevant systems. 
• Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles. 
• Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping tax payers’ money at the forefront of decisions. 
• Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities. 
• Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Clear and Concise communicator, with the ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels 
• Be proactive. Always asking the right questions and constantly talking to everyone from PM to laborer to keep their finger on the pulse.  
• Understand both technical and commercial. They will know the contract and sub-contracts inside out and ensure that the schedule and scope are aligned with them.  
• Provide a clear path ahead. Understand that a schedule is useless if not crystal clear for the team. Anyone who doesn’t know the project can pick up their schedule and understand what is going on quickly.  
• Become regarded by the team as an all-knowing oracle of past, present and future.   
• Substantial hands-on experience working on major infrastructure projects developing and maintaining multi-disciplined schedules.  
• Good understanding of construction preferably in the rail sector.  
• Extensive knowledge of planning tools (i.e., Primavera P6), processes and techniques and the ability to use them to develop and improve schedule performance.  
• Ability to interrogate and challenge schedules and identify efficiencies.  
• Strong process management, presentation and written communication skills

• Project Planning Practitioner (PPP).  
• Degree or equivalent in project management or engineering or equivalent training and experience.  
• Main Contractor experience preffered.  

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience 
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future 
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days 
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community 
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones 
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind 
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it 
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits 
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards 
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.