Senior Project Planner

Purpose and Role

The Senior Project Planner will manage the planning and monitoring of projects to which they are assigned throughout all project stages. They will work with the project team to develop the most efficient project methodology and execute the timely delivery of a project through its lifecycle. They will identify any rectification actions required and influence the parties responsible to complete these actions.

Prime Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules in Primavera P6 (version 15.1 or later) and Microsoft Project, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established standards.
• Prepare detailed cost forecasts, including EAC calculations, risk assessments, and contingency planning.
• Create and implement a Project Controls Plan that outlines best practices and procedures for estimating cost control, planning, scheduling, and risk management.
• Ability to analyse and interpret schedule variances, including critical path identification and forward loading techniques. Produce detailed commentary on changes to the project schedule to inform decision-making and proactive risk mitigation.
• Provide accurate and timely Earned Value Management (EVM) data to track project progress, performance, and cost control.
• Successful in identifying any project deviations, slippage reports, opportunities, mitigations, and communication of same to the project team.
• Ensure that all issues and risks within the schedule are highlighted and understood by the project team and provide appropriate planning advice. Create standardised planning processes and work instructions that align with organisational objectives and best practices.
• Promote a culture of process compliance by providing training, coaching, and support to project teams.
• Regularly monitor adherence to processes and identify areas for improvement. Implement necessary adjustments to maintain consistency and optimise efficiency.
• Establish mechanisms for sharing best practices and lessons learned across projects to foster continuous improvement and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate with the project team to identify and address project risks, ensuring timely mitigation strategies are agreed and captured in the project schedule.
• Help develop and maintain a good working relationship with suppliers and clients.
• To ensure that all reports are accurate, produced in a timely manner and validated by the Project Manager to allow Senior Managers to direct the project appropriately.
• To evaluate and assist with preparation of monthly progress reports, as required.
• Develop and implement effective labor planning strategies to ensure optimal resource utilisation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify potential resource bottlenecks and adjust resource allocations to maintain a balanced workload and avoid delays.
• Proactively address resource conflicts and prioritise tasks to ensure efficient resource utilisation and project delivery.
• To support business improvement initiatives.
• Any other job duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post.
• Line management of other team members, including one-to-one, professional development plans and appraisals.
• To support business change, via effective change management processes in the context of fast-paced regulatory environment.
• Prepared to undertake regular travel in the UK and overseas when required.
• Attend various business meetings as required.
• Understanding of GDPR/data protection legislation procedures and requirements in a highly regulated environment. Comply with GDPR and with CAN data protection policy.
• Comply with the company code of ethics and all polices (including staff handbook) related to the company corporate documents.
• Demonstrating a commitment to health and safety by following the company’s written procedures and policies, ensuring you are up to date with any training and using any equipment provided to you for your safety.
• Extending your commitment to those who may visit the organisation but not be familiar with us; clients, visitors and others ensuring they know how to stay safe on site.
• Actively promote a diverse and inclusive work environment that values different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
• Participate in diversity and inclusion training to develop awareness and understanding of diversity issues.