Senior Planning Manager

Senior Planning Manager

Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment | London, ENG, GB

Posted 20 days ago

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Description

Overview


Location: Thames Valley / London Hybrid


Base pay range: This range is provided by Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.


Join the planning team behind one of Thames Water’s most ambitious capital delivery projects.


We are working with a leading organisation delivering a critical, high-value infrastructure programme on behalf of Thames Water. You’ll take ownership of the programme planning strategy, controls and reporting for a single, high-profile project designed to support long-term resilience and environmental outcomes across the Thames Valley.


This is an exciting opportunity for a planning professional to step into a role with real visibility and long-term impact, where your input will shape delivery timelines, risk mitigation and senior stakeholder decisions.


Your Mission



  • Develop, maintain and oversee a detailed Primavera P6 programme for a complex, multi-year water infrastructure project, from early contractor involvement through to commissioning

  • Work closely with the project director, planners, engineers and commercial teams to align programme outputs with business objectives and contract requirements (NEC3/4)

  • Lead all planning and scheduling functions on the project – including baseline creation, schedule risk analysis, earned value reporting, and what-if scenario planning

  • Prepare executive dashboards, detailed reports and programme commentary to drive governance reviews with both internal leadership and client-side teams (including Thames Water stakeholders)

  • Manage and mentor a small team of planners, while acting as the technical lead for all programme control activities

  • Act as the planning conscience on the project – challenging assumptions, flagging risk, and maintaining a transparent and data-driven approach to delivery forecasting


About You



  • You bring significant planning experience (ideally 5+ years) in delivering major construction or infrastructure projects – water, utilities, energy, civils, rail or similar

  • Strong command of Primavera P6, with the ability to build programmes from first principles and drive data-led decision-making

  • You’re fluent in the language of NEC contracts, and understand the importance of planning as a commercial tool as much as a scheduling one

  • A confident communicator who can hold your own in project reviews, client updates and board-level reporting

  • Previous experience delivering planning for a flagship or complex, single-project programme is highly desirable

  • A natural leader – whether you’re mentoring junior planners or influencing senior stakeholders, you take ownership of your area and drive performance


What’s in it for You?



  • Join a project of national significance with direct exposure to one of the UK’s largest water projects

  • Work with a high-performing and technically strong delivery team committed to excellence

  • Car allowance, bonus scheme, and comprehensive benefits package

  • Hybrid working (approx. 2–3 days on site or in the project office in Thames Valley area)

  • Long-term project pipeline with career progression opportunities into leadership roles or wider capital delivery programmes


Interested?


This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of a flagship water project. If you're a planning professional ready to take on a high-impact role with autonomy, visibility and purpose – we'd love to hear from you.


Seniority level



  • Director


Employment type



  • Full-time


Job function



  • Construction


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