Project Planner

Description:

Project Planner
The successful individual must have experience using Primavera P6 or ASTA Powerproject in the UK construction, utilities, power, energy, FM, M&E, civil engineering or infrastructure sectors. This position is working out of our client’s central London office, and a full valid UK driving licence is also required.
Our client is one of the UK’s leaders and specialises in working with numerous sectors to deliver low carbon and renewable energy multi-technology generation, distribution, and consumption solutions, with turnkey design, build, upgrade, renewal, and delivery of energy efficiency projects, adding value to its clients in a number of ways from high quality contract delivery to provision of funding solutions and technical consultancy services. Services include (but are not limited to): CHP, various low carbon and renewable energy solutions, energy from waste, air and ground source heat pumps, BESS, solar PV, biomass, energy centres, HIU’s, ESCo, and communal and district heating.
The business has a strong can-do ethos with a passion for making things happen. Our client has experienced a period of significant growth, and indeed is set on an envious upwards trajectory over the next 5-10 years, and consequently wishes to appoint a high calibre Project Planner. You will work in a dynamic team who work with other internal departments and project teams to ensure contracts are delivered on time and to budget. You will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals on projects that have a positive impact on the environment and communities.
As a Project Planner you will play a crucial role in the planning and programming of key engineering activities across a number of projects. You will have clear objectives and be supported with training which will develop your personal and professional skills along the way. Reporting to the Planning Manager, the main purpose of this role will be to take responsibility for the holistic planning and programming of numerous projects running simultaneously at differing stages of the contract lifecycle, whilst also supporting the tender planning process phase of all works.
The Role
* Review and maintain baseline project plans and schedules using appropriate scheduling. Monitor and control planning activities through all phases of project lifecycle
* Liaise with engineering, procurement and construction functions, and others as required, including third parties, to maintain awareness of project activities, their status, and their impact on the project schedule and manpower
* Provide copies of project plans and schedules, project progress and performance status in accordance with project reporting
* Review and issue updates to project plans and schedules
* Review and issue updates to project manpower – resource requirements
* Monitor and assess schedule impact of change notifications. Monitor and review overall project progress status, including achievement of major milestones, and evaluate project performance in relation to planned delivery
* Attend internal project progress and performance status meetings as required
* Liaise with cost disciplines to ensure accurate and timely control and forecasting of man-hour budgets, and ensure that the impact of all change requests is correctly assessed and included in the schedules
* Preparation of bid/tender programmes working alongside our preconstruction team
* Developing and maintaining project plans utilising project management software throughout the complete project life cycle
* Regular monitoring and updating of programmes to ensure tasks are completed on time and within budget whilst identifying and reporting any deviations to the project team
* Fulfilling contractual obligations including issuing of programmes, recording progress and tracking variations / compensation events
* Identifying and assessing project risks including potential delays, costs and other challenges, whilst contributing to mitigation strategies
* Creating short term lookaheads in order to provide project teams with a focus on key areas/activities
* Maintaining accurate project documentation, including project plans, progress reports, meeting minutes and other relevant documents, always ensuring proper document version control
The Person
* Possessing experience in the capacity of being a member of a planning team within a relevant utilities, power, energy, construction, facilities management, civil engineering, M&E or infrastructure environment
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate across projects and with clients’ teams
* Strong understanding of project scheduling and coordination across multiple schemes
* Experience with project control systems and tools, namely Primavera P6 or ASTA Powerproject
* Experience in maintaining open communication channels with stakeholders and proficiency in analysing project progress and forecasting.
* Familiarity with risk management practices.
* Excellent communication and presentation skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Ability to handle multiple tasks and changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
* Uses initiative, experience and a proactive approach to problem solving and demonstrates effective organisation and project planning skills.
* Excellent knowledge of construction detail and the installation and commissioning sequence
* Excellent understanding of planning and scheduling techniques
* Understanding of project lifecycles from concept to handover including operation and maintenance.
* Relevant contractual knowledge including use of standard forms of NEC and JCT contracts.
* Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills with the ability to understand complex construction projects
* Passionate and takes pride in their work with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Has a flexible approach to managing workload with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
A highly attractive permanent basic salary and benefits package (relative to experience) is on offer for the successful candidate, coupled with a challenging variety of work and solid career progression, given the company’s secured forward order workload and their continued dedication to profitable growth within the UK