Location
London - Old Oak Common development

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary package

About the Role
Balfour Beatty has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planning Manager to join our outstanding Major Projects team to work at our Old Oak Common development in London – be part of the largest construction project in the UK. HS2’s new c. £1 billion Old Oak Common station will become the UK’s best-connected rail station once completed. Our Balfour Beatty VINCI SYTRA joint venture will be responsible for the final design, construction, and commissioning of the station in Northwest London. Upon completion, the new station will boast six underground platforms and up to eight platforms on the adjacent Great Western Main Line. Old Oak Common will also provide high-speed rail services to the Midlands, central London, Scotland, and the North, as well as direct services to three major airports. Incorporating passenger and retail facilities, the new station will provide an exceptional customer experience for both passengers and visitors to the station.

Key Responsibilities
Expert in identifying planning scope, major constraints, and contract requirements alongside identifying major quantities and factors affecting the programme. Lead planning processes, overseeing the development of key deliverables such as programmes, planning philosophy, presentations, and reports. Guide planners in formulating strategic programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Drive effective planning strategies to achieve project success.

Contract Management
Offer strategic guidance throughout the contract stage, overseeing the Senior Planning Team in producing, managing, and maintaining the Contract Programme. Ensure meticulous alignment with planning procedures and actively contribute to the project's overall success under the leadership of the Planning/Project Lead. Display and evaluate the project critical path, advise the project team of the results and any appropriate corrective action alongside producing and maintaining project baselines, and execute the change control process as appropriate.

Resource Management
Expertise in managing labour, equipment, and materials efficiently to meet project objectives while minimising costs and delays.

Commercial Support
Manage contracts with subcontractors and suppliers, monitor performance, and resolve contract-related issues. Provide planning expertise to support the commercial team with compensation events, early warnings, delay analysis, and claims.

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.

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…

Experience
- 10+ years' experience in planning roles within major construction or infrastructure projects.
- Strong background in contractor-side planning on complex programmes.
- Experience managing planners and leading planning functions.
- Expert-level proficiency in Primavera P6.
- Proven experience in construction sequencing, logistics, delay analysis, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Experience interfacing directly with clients on major projects.

About You
Proactive and strategic thinker with excellent leadership skills. Able to guide and motivate planning teams to deliver high-quality outputs. Strong communication skills to effectively liaise with project teams, clients, and commercial stakeholders. Detail-oriented with a focus on delivering projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications
Relevant planning or project management qualifications are desirable but not essential. Demonstrable expertise and experience in planning and programme management within major infrastructure projects is critical.