Senior Planner

Location: Burghfield, Reading Area (Hybrid – 1 day per week onsite)
Length: 18 months
IR35: Inside IR35
Security Clearance: SC Clearance Required
We are seeking an experienced Senior Planner to provide specialist planning and project controls expertise across complex programmes within a highly regulated environment.
This role requires a hands-on Senior Planner with strong Primavera P6, integrated programme planning, and Earned Value Management (EVM) experience. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining robust project schedules, providing accurate forecasting information, and supporting effective programme decision-making.
Candidates should have a proven track record of owning complex integrated schedules and delivering high-quality planning outputs, rather than a primarily PMO or reporting background.
Key Accountabilities
Provide expert planning support and guidance to internal project teams.
Implement and maintain planning processes, policies, procedures, and best practice across supported projects.
Produce accurate planning and Earned Value deliverables in line with agreed business reporting cycles.
Deliver long-range operational integrated programme planning activities.
Support business management activities and emergent projects as directed.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key project stakeholders.
Maintain and promote high standards in environment, safety, health, security, and quality while contributing positively as part of a collaborative team.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver Project Controls Planning and EVM expertise, analysis, and insight to support informed business decisions.
Develop, maintain, and analyse integrated project schedules using Primavera P6.
Produce accurate schedule forecasts, progress updates, and performance reporting.
Perform schedule variance analysis, including review of Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and other EVM metrics.
Support the development and continuous improvement of end-to-end planning processes, procedures, templates, and guidelines.
Support the delivery of planning tools, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), templates, and training for internal stakeholders.
Review project Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and recommend improvements to Project Controls Managers.
Provide planning resource and support for project peer reviews and assurance activities.
Manage schedule integration across project teams, suppliers, and delivery partners.
Support baseline development, critical path analysis, change control, and schedule risk assessment activities.
Essential Experience & Skills
* Proven experience working as a Senior Planner for 2+ years.
* Strong hands-on experience with Primavera P6.
* Demonstrable experience developing and managing complex integrated project schedules.
* Experience with:
* Baseline programme development
* Critical path analysis
* Schedule forecasting
* Progress measurement
* Change control and impact assessment
* Supplier/subcontractor schedule integration
* Practical experience of Earned Value Management (EVM), including schedule performance analysis.
* Experience delivering project controls planning outputs within a structured reporting environment.
* Understanding of contractual planning requirements, ideally including NEC contract experience.
Desirable Experience
* Strong background in construction, infrastructure, engineering, defence, nuclear, or other complex regulated sectors.
* Experience supporting large-scale, multi-disciplinary programmes.
* Experience working within integrated project controls teams.
About the Role
This is an opportunity for an experienced Senior Planner to take ownership of complex programme planning activities, providing specialist expertise in schedule management, EVM, and project controls to support successful delivery of major programmes.
If you are an experienced Primavera P6 planner with a proven track record in integrated scheduling, forecasting, and earned value management, we would like to hear from you