About the role
At Balfour Beatty, we’re shaping the infrastructure that keeps the North West moving — and we’re looking for a talented Senior Planner to help drive that mission forward. Based from our Warrington office, you’ll play a pivotal role across a diverse portfolio of projects within our Regional Civils division.
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence major schemes from the earliest stages, working with expert teams to develop and manage complex project programmes that drive safe, efficient and high-quality delivery. You’ll provide strategic planning oversight, optimise resources, and ensure projects are delivered with precision, clarity and ambition.
As a senior member of the planning function, you’ll also support and mentor less experienced planners, applying advanced scheduling techniques to enhance project performance and contribute to successful outcomes across the region.
If you’re ready to bring your expertise to projects that make a real difference in local communities, we’d love to hear from you.
What you'll be doing
- Develop, manage and maintain project programmes in line with planning procedures and best practice
- Define planning scope, key constraints, contract requirements and programme drivers
- Lead the development of tender programmes, methodologies and sequencing to optimise delivery strategies
- Produce high-quality planning outputs including programmes, reports and presentations
- Manage and maintain the contract programme, working closely with project and planning leads
- Analyse and manage the critical path, advising on risks, impacts and corrective actions
- Establish and control project baselines, including change control processes
- Manage resources (labour, plant and materials) to optimise performance and minimise delays
- Monitor subcontractor and supplier performance, supporting contract management activities
- Provide strategic planning oversight while mentoring and developing junior planners
- Support the production of project data, KPIs and performance insights to drive continuous improvement
Who we're looking for
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data
- Excellent understanding of planning processes, data management and controls
- Clear and effective communicator, with strong stakeholder engagement skills
- Proven ability to negotiate, influence and manage conflict effectively
- Demonstrable leadership capability, including mentoring and supporting others
- Advanced proficiency in planning and project controls tools (e.g. Primavera P6, ASTA, MS Project, Excel)
- Strong understanding of construction project management principles, methodologies and best practice
- Expertise in developing and managing complex project programmes
- Good knowledge of tender documentation, contracts and technical specifications
- Understanding of risk management within programmes (e.g. TRA, QSRA)
- Experience producing and managing construction programmes across complex, multi-disciplinary projects
- Proven track record of leading planning activities and contributing to successful project delivery
- Experience building and managing relationships with clients, subcontractors and key stakeholders
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Why join us?
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
About us
With a strong track record of delivery, our civils teams connect communities through infrastructure projects in the highways, public realm, rail, flood and coastal defence, and industrial sectors across England and Wales.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: [email protected]
Job Reference: BBUK19299
