Lead Planner

Planning Lead

Location: Heywood Interchange (OL10 2LG) - Hybrid options available
Position Type: Full-time
Sector: Major Infrastructure & regulated industries

About the Role

Are you a strategic planning expert looking to spearhead complex, high-profile infrastructure programmes?

We are seeking a Planning Lead to take overall responsibility for the planning function across a major programme of works. In this pivotal role, you will develop the strategic overview of our planning function, working closely with senior stakeholders to resource, manage, integrate, and assure complex portfolios. You will be the driving force ensuring visibility, alignment, and the ultimate delivery of business-critical benefits and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Provide visible, effective leadership to the planning team, partnering with Project/Programme Managers to deliver core business case benefits.
Team Development: Define the planner resource strategy, support recruitment, and oversee the continuous professional development of the planning team.
Project Controls Integration: Oversee interfacing with the project controls team to maintain a strictly aligned financial position with the master Programme Plan.
Best Practice & Governance: Champion industry-best project planning standards, tools, and processes, driving capability building across the function.
Stakeholder & Performance Management: Review performance trends to identify areas for improvement and collaboration, while building strong internal and external networks to support work-winning teams and future clients.

What We Are Looking For

Essential Criteria:

Proven Experience: Strong background in Project Controls and/or Project Delivery, ideally within a highly regulated environment.
Technical Mastery: Solid experience interpreting estimating, scheduling, programming, and risk tools.
Leadership Skills: Proven ability to prioritise work effectively, delegate, train staff, and take full ownership of departmental requirements.
Qualifications: HNC/HND, degree qualified, or equivalent extensive experience in a planning-related discipline.

Desirable Criteria:

Sector experience within Highways.
Working knowledge of reporting tools, specifically Power BI.
Experience in business development, work-winning, and creating sales propositions.
Familiarity with relevant Health and Safety legislation.
Professional certifications such as APM, APMG (MSP/PPC), or PMI-SP.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to shape the planning strategy for a major delivery partner on critical infrastructure works. You will be given the autonomy to innovate, build a high-performing team, and influence senior stakeholders from day one, all while working in a supportive environment that values professional growth.

To Apply

If you are a visionary planner ready to take ownership of a major programme, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business