Senior Planner - Water Treatment Construction Project

Senior Planner Location Options:
London (near Kingston upon Thames) Central Bedfordshire (near Luton)

Work Style:

Mostly office-based with occasional home working.

On behalf of a tier 1 contractor I am seeking a highly skilled Senior Planner to support the successful delivery of a major multi‑discipline infrastructure project within the water sector. This is an excellent opportunity to lead planning activity on complex civils and MEICA works that have meaningful, long‑term impacts on local communities.

You will play a pivotal role in developing robust project programmes, driving planning excellence, and ensuring full compliance with contract and project controls requirements. Working closely with delivery teams, supply chain partners and stakeholders, you will help shape delivery strategy from early design stages through to completion.

Both London and Central Bedfordshire are available as potential base locations.

What You'll Be Doing

Lead the planning and project controls function for designated works, ensuring delivery of all programme outputs.
Build detailed programmes from first principles using Primavera P6.
Ensure full compliance with planning standards, processes, and contractual requirements (including programme submissions, early warnings and change control).
Review and validate programme logic, sequencing, durations and methodologies.
Develop resource-loaded schedules, resource histograms and "what‑if" scenarios to support strategic decision‑making.
Engage collaboratively with delivery teams using tools such as collaborative planning and short‑interval control.
Prepare programme narratives, reports and visuals for internal stakeholders, clients and partners.
Support commercial teams with delay analysis, prolongation and extension‑of‑time assessments.
Analyse performance, identify trends and feed lessons learned into continuous improvement.
Support governance around design, procurement and delivery reporting and dashboards.
Review and challenge supply chain programmes to ensure alignment and feasibility.
Mentor and support junior or developing planners within the team.

About You

You will be an experienced planning professional with a strong background in complex construction delivery.

You should bring:

Significant on‑site experience on major multi‑discipline construction projects (preferably water sector).
Strong experience working in a planning role, with experience planning from first principles.
Strong understanding of construction methodology, sequencing and multidisciplinary project life cycles.
Ability to interpret drawings, technical documents and contract requirements.
Expertise in Primavera P6, with additional experience in planning tools such as Aphex, Asta Power project or Microsoft Project.
Strong understanding of UK construction contracts (IChemE preferred; NEC/JCT also relevant).
Demonstrated experience in commercial delay analysis and entitlement assessments.
Strong communication skills, with confidence engaging delivery teams, clients and stakeholders.
Experience mentoring less experienced planners.
A proactive, analytical approach with strong ownership over programme outcomes.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)