Framework Planning Manager - UK; Hybrid

The Role

UK Critical Infrastructure - Defence

At Laminar, we believe the way the industry delivers its projects is as important as what it delivers. Strong controls, clear governance, and disciplined programme management aren't bureaucratic overhead; they're how you protect taxpayer investment and get critical capability into the hands of the people who need it. Joining our defence team means working at the intersection of national importance and professional craft - helping to raise the bar on how the UK's most significant programmes are run.

The role is primarily open to UK passport holders who have resided in the UK for at least the last 5 years, however candidates who hold nationalities from NATO or MISWG will also be considered. Candidates must reside in the UK and be entitled to work with no restrictions.

The project is based in the Southern England. Our client typically requires 2-3 days on site per fortnight, but this can be subject to change and we can discuss specifics with you. Please consider how flexible you are, and how practical travel to this location is for you, when applying.

Purpose of the role

As a top‑notch Planning Manager we are looking for a combination of excellent planning and people skills to lead planning in one of our major UK Critical Infrastructure projects. This is a hands‑on leadership role where clients will look to you as their planning expert. You could be leading a team of 5-10 planners and other project controls professionals; working as part of a larger integrated client team as a specialist partner.

As a dynamic, innovative team, we value curiosity and ingenuity to create the right solutions for us and our clients. You will lead improvement initiatives, from assessing client capability to working with clients to implement enhancements for project success. At Laminar, you will be a key person helping shape and support our growth through project controls excellence by being a development mentor for 2-5 consultants, helping them flourish and grow.

Such Laminar project teams comprise of multi‑discipline Project Controls experts including Project Planning, Integrated Planning, Project Controls Reporting, and Earned Value Management. As a senior leader in the project team your role will be to provide strategic insight, support the client in getting the best out of the skills within the team, and to balance this with helping the team to get the most out of the project.

Such engagement is a key part of the Laminar portfolio and you will have the chance to support the wider Infrastructure sector with your knowledge and experience via internal initiatives and growth efforts.

• Own the plan: Define clear roles and responsibilities across your team to ensure all project requirements are met on time, while remaining adaptable as project needs evolve.
• Own the outcome: Regardless of reporting lines, take full ownership of delivering the project's outcomes - bringing your best effort to keep your team and the wider project aligned and focused on the plan.
• Report and inform: Drive the creation of clear, actionable reports tailored to stakeholders at all levels, enabling each of them to deliver their part of the project more efficiently and effectively.
• Make scalable solutions Develop repeatable and scalable best practices and tools in collaboration with the teams so that long‑term impact can be achieved beyond the project.
• Develop everyone: Maximise the development of your team personally and professionally and educate our clients to improve as well.

• Planning Excellence: You have over 10 years of experience delivering engineering and construction projects, with expert‑level planning skills and the configuration and use of planning tools (Primavera P6 for this project).
• Planning Leadership: You have a demonstrated history of leading planning teams where you are responsible for planning, planning tools and quality assurance. Ultimately clients trust your advice on how to deliver construction better, safer and more efficiently.
• Communication: You’re a competent communicator in English and have the charisma and influence to guide people…