Job Title: Area Planner
Salary: DOE (Depending on Experience)
Location: Hinkley Point C, Somerset
Job ID: 2089
Role overview
A leading organisation delivering a major UK infrastructure and energy programme is seeking an Area Planner to join its Integrated Planning team. The role supports the full project lifecycle across design, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, construction and commissioning, working within a complex and highly regulated environment.
Reporting to the Area Lead Planner, the postholder will be accountable for planning and scheduling within an assigned area, including the quality, accuracy and value of planning outputs; integration of supply-chain schedules; and implementation of the programme’s planning strategy and standards.
Project environment
- Work within a matrix organisation supporting multiple programmes, work packages and contracts across a major, multi-phase infrastructure programme.
- Contribute to integrated baseline delivery, lifecycle critical-path execution and achievement of key programme milestones.
- Operate in a highly regulated environment where safety culture, quality, schedule and cost are central to delivery.
- Collaborate with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, construction, commissioning, commercial and project-controls teams.
Key interfaces
- Head of Integrated Planning and senior planning leads
- Schedule assurance and programme delivery teams
- Project and programme directors, area leads and project managers
- Project Controls disciplines, including cost, estimating, risk and change
- Supply chain, quality, finance, legal and people functions
Principal accountabilities
- Develop and maintain integrated, logic-linked schedules aligned to the work breakdown structure and applicable scheduling standards.
- Drive an area-based planning framework integrated with reporting, dependencies and strategic-to-detailed schedule alignment.
- Integrate progress, forecasting and supply-chain planning data to provide a reliable view of project performance.
- Produce timely and focused planning and schedule reports for key stakeholders in line with the agreed reporting cycle.
- Review and challenge delivery schedules, sequencing assumptions and performance information that may affect overall programme delivery.
- Support area management in assessing significant risks and opportunities using evidence, balanced judgement and appropriate escalation.
- Analyse planning information to identify emerging risks, trends and opportunities and support evidence-based decisions.
- Apply the programme’s trend and change-control processes within the schedule, including performance analysis and feedback on areas of risk or opportunity.
- Ensure contractor and supply-chain schedules are appropriately integrated, consistent and aligned with programme requirements.
- Maintain the integrity and consistency of planning data, resolving issues collaboratively and implementing corrective action where required.
- Ensure scheduling procedures, controls and quality standards are followed across the assigned area.
- Capture and share lessons learned and operational experience to support continuous improvement within the planning function.
- Handle project information securely and in accordance with applicable information-protection policies and procedures.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Strong knowledge of planning and scheduling methodologies, techniques and controls.
- Ability to produce accurate, complete and fully logic-linked construction or delivery schedules.
- Demonstrable ability to turn commercial and technical information into concise project insight that supports decision-making.
- Understanding of how changes and decisions can affect project risk, schedule performance and delivery outcomes.
- Excellent analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving capability.
- Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to both technical and non-technical senior stakeholders.
- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across organisational and contractual boundaries.
- Technical and practical understanding of engineering, procurement and construction delivery methods in a UK context.
- Understanding of related Project Controls disciplines, particularly cost, estimating, risk and change.
- Understanding of earned value analysis, schedule risk analysis and common contract forms, including NEC and FIDIC.
Qualifications and experience
- Degree or equivalent qualification in engineering, construction, quantity surveying or a related discipline.
- Substantial planning experience within a complex, highly regulated industry; experience in nuclear, energy or major infrastructure is desirable.
- Experience working as part of an integrated planning or Project Controls team and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
- Practical experience applying integrated planning frameworks and methodologies on a major project or programme.
- Proven experience using planning and Project Controls technology to support the effective delivery of complex projects.
Tools and software
Applicants should have strong working knowledge of relevant planning and reporting tools, including:
- Primavera P6 or equivalent scheduling software
- 4D planning or modelling tools such as Synchro
- Schedule analysis tools such as Acumen Fuse
- Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Document-control platforms such as Teamcenter or equivalent
- Business-intelligence and reporting tools such as Power BI
Behavioural competencies
Safety and integrity: Places health, safety, wellbeing and environmental responsibility at the centre of decision-making; acts with professionalism, honesty and accountability.
Leadership and inspiration: Creates a positive picture of successful delivery, supports innovation and change, and builds commitment among stakeholders.
Collaboration and inclusion: Promotes mutual respect, values different perspectives and works effectively with cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams.
Impact and delivery: Balances strategic, commercial, safety and operational factors; maintains momentum and supports high performance in a changing project environment.
Customer focus: Understands stakeholder needs and provides accurate, timely and useful planning information that supports successful outcomes.
Health, safety and sustainability
The postholder must comply with all applicable health, safety, wellbeing, environmental and sustainability requirements. They are expected to cooperate fully with agreed control measures, take reasonable care of themselves and others, and consider the environmental and social impact of their work.
Additional information
This job description summarises the principal responsibilities of the role and is not exhaustive. Duties may reasonably evolve to reflect programme requirements, organisational priorities and the postholder’s level of responsibility.
The employer is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.
