Job Description: Senior Rail Planner
Job Title
Senior Rail Planner
Reporting To
Planning Manager / Head of Planning
Location
[Location]
Employment Type
Full-time, Permanent
Salary
[Salary Range]
Role Overview
The Senior Rail Planner is responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining detailed rail project programmes across all phases of delivery. The role ensures that planning processes support safe, efficient, and commercially successful project execution while providing accurate reporting, programme analysis, and strategic planning advice to project teams and senior stakeholders.
Working closely with project managers, engineers, commercial teams, and clients, the Senior Rail Planner will lead planning activities, identify programme risks and opportunities, and drive continuous improvement in project controls.
Key Responsibilities
Develop, manage, and maintain integrated project programmes using Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
Produce baseline programmes, target programmes, and regular programme updates.
Monitor project progress against agreed milestones and contractual requirements.
Analyse programme performance using critical path analysis, earned value techniques, and schedule health checks.
Identify programme risks, delays, and opportunities, proposing mitigation and recovery strategies.
Prepare weekly and monthly planning reports, dashboards, and management information.
Support project teams during tender, pre-construction, delivery, and close-out phases.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure planning reflects current project status.
Lead planning workshops and programme review meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
Review subcontractor programmes and assess compliance with project requirements.
Ensure planning outputs comply with client standards, contractual obligations, and industry best practice.
Support change management by assessing the programme impact of variations and compensation events.
Provide planning expertise during client meetings and project reviews.
Mentor and develop junior planners and planning engineers.
Promote continuous improvement in planning processes, reporting, and project controls.
Essential Skills and Experience
Significant planning experience within the UK rail industry.
Strong knowledge of rail infrastructure projects, including renewals, enhancements, or maintenance programmes.
Advanced user of Primavera P6.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project and Microsoft Office.
Experience producing critical path analyses and programme recovery plans.
Excellent understanding of NEC contracts and programme requirements.
Experience supporting project controls, cost reporting, and change management.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, scopes of work, and project documentation.
Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
Desirable Qualifications
Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent.
Primavera P6 Professional certification.
Membership of a relevant professional institution (APM, ICE, CILT, or similar).
Understanding of Network Rail governance, GRIP/PACE, and possession planning processes.
Knowledge of rail assurance, project controls, and risk management methodologies.
Personal Attributes
Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
Commercially aware with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Highly organised and detail-oriented.
Able to influence and challenge constructively.
Collaborative and supportive team player.
Committed to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and performance.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Delivery of accurate and timely project programmes.
Achievement of contractual milestones.
Programme accuracy and reporting quality.
Effective management of critical path and programme risks.
Client satisfaction with planning support.
Contribution to successful project delivery and commercial performance.
Development and mentoring of junior planning staff.
Health, Safety and Compliance
The Senior Rail Planner is expected to:
Promote a positive safety culture at all times.
Comply with all company policies, rail industry standards, and client requirements.
Support compliance with Network Rail and relevant railway assurance processes.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across planning and project controls.
