Planner / Senior Planner - Steelwork & Heavy Construction

Planner / Senior Planner Location: Durham with UK-wide site visits The Role Responsible for producing and managing construction programmes from tender stage through to project completion, ensuring coordination between design, fabrication, and site erection. The role supports project performance through effective planning, progress monitoring, risk identification, and programme management. Key Responsibilities Preconstruction Planning Develop tender and preconstruction programmes aligned with client requirements Establish construction strategies covering design release, procurement, fabrication, and erection Assess sequencing and methodologies to determine the most efficient and buildable approach Review outline programmes to identify risks, constraints, and unrealistic assumptions Support bid submissions with programme input, phasing, and narratives Identify key constraints, risks, and opportunities at an early stage Construction Planning (Post-Award) Develop and manage detailed contract programmes following award Produce and maintain dropline / flowline programmes for fabrication output and erection sequencing Coordinate subcontract trades within construction programmes Review project programmes and propose practical, buildable solutions Establish design release schedules, fabrication priorities, and erection phasing Maintain short-term lookahead programmes and update progress regularly Progress Monitoring & Reporting Monitor progress against programme and key milestones Track fabrication and erection performance against planned outputs Identify and manage the critical path Produce programme reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders Delay, Risk & Recovery Analyse delays and programme risks and assess impacts Develop mitigation measures and recovery strategies Support Extension of Time submissions and programme-based entitlement Maintain auditable programme records Coordination & Communication Work with design, fabrication, and site teams to manage interfaces and resolve issues Engage with clients, contractors, and project teams during progress meetings Promote a proactive, solutions-focused approach to programme management Requirements Experience in a planning role within structural steelwork, heavy construction, or main contracting Strong understanding of tender-stage and construction-phase planning Experience using dropline or production-based planning methods Experience integrating subcontract trades within programmes Familiarity with JCT and NEC contracts, including programme obligations and entitlement Proficiency in Microsoft Project Ability to work with or transition to Asta Powerproject Ability to use Primavera P6 where required Strong Excel capability Experience with 4D planning or modelling tools advantageous Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills Understanding of programme impact on cost, risk, and commercial outcomes What You’ll Bring Ability to develop realistic and buildable programmes Confidence to challenge assumptions and improve programme logic Proactive approach to identifying issues and driving solutions Strong commercial awareness and ability to support project outcomes What’s Offered Opportunity to work on major, complex projects across the UK Involvement in both tender strategy and live project execution Strong pipeline of work and experienced delivery team