Senior Planner

What if your next role gave you the opportunity to shape the future of rail infrastructure while building and leading a planning function that's central to project success?

I'm working with a growing rail consultancy looking to appoint a Senior Project Planner to play a pivotal role in delivering complex infrastructure projects while developing and expanding its planning capability.

This is more than a planning role. You'll influence business strategy, work alongside senior leadership, and become a trusted advisor to project teams and clients, ensuring programmes are robust, achievable, and drive successful project delivery.

• Lead and develop the rail planning function, driving continuous improvement and best practice
• Create and maintain complex project programmes, ensuring clear logic, accuracy, and quality
• Monitor project progress, identifying critical path activities and programme risks
• Develop resource, materials, cost, and schedule plans to support successful delivery
• Prepare risk and mitigation plans to proactively manage project challenges
• Support contract administration, tender planning, programme reviews, and post‑award monitoring
• Work closely with Project Managers and Project Services teams to provide programme insights and reporting
• Evaluate programme impacts arising from design, procurement, and delivery decisions
• Produce planning reports and dashboards to support informed decision‑making
• Engage with stakeholders across the business to strengthen client delivery and planning capability
• Drive consistency, planning standards, and best practice across the organisation

• Proven experience as a Project Planner within the rail or infrastructure sector
• Strong background in developing and managing complex project programmes
• Experience identifying critical path activities and monitoring project performance
• Knowledge of project controls, contract administration, and programme management
• Strong understanding of project risk management and mitigation planning
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced project environment
• Leadership experience or a desire to build and develop a planning team
• Proactive, solutions‑focused approach with strong commercial awareness

• Opportunity to lead and grow an established rail planning function
• Work on high‑profile rail and infrastructure projects across the UK
• Join a collaborative consultancy where you'll work closely with senior leadership
• Influence project strategy from tender stage through to delivery
• Flexible hybrid working based from Manchester or Birmingham
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

Interested in learning more? Apply today or get in touch for a confidential discussion.