Associate Director Construction Planner - Programme Scheduler

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Help deliver some of the UK's most complex infrastructure programmes

At Jacobs, Project Management isn’t just about delivering projects—it’s about creating solutions that transform communities and improve lives. Our Project Management teams sit at the heart of some of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in the UK and globally. From sustainable water systems to cutting-edge energy projects and major transportation networks, we’re driving innovation and setting new standards for excellence.

Our Project Controls team within Cities & Places is growing, and we're looking for an experienced Senior Construction Planner / Programme Planning & Scheduling Manager to play a leading role in the successful delivery of major infrastructure and construction programmes.

This is an opportunity to work on high-profile, complex projects across sectors including transportation, water, buildings, energy, aviation and major infrastructure. You'll provide strategic planning leadership, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and clients, and help shape delivery strategies from project inception through to completion.

As a senior member of the team, you'll lead planning and scheduling activities across multiple programmes, providing critical insights that support informed decision-making, risk management and successful project outcomes. You'll also contribute to the development of planning best practice, mentor colleagues, and help drive continuous improvement across our Project Controls capability.

What you’ll be doing

As a senior member of the team, you'll lead planning and scheduling activities across multiple programmes, providing critical insights that support informed decision‑making, risk management and successful project outcomes. You'll also contribute to the development of planning best practice, mentor colleagues, and help drive continuous improvement across our Project Controls capability.

As a Senior Construction Planner, you'll play a pivotal role in helping our clients successfully deliver complex infrastructure and construction programmes. Acting as a trusted advisor to project teams and stakeholders, you'll provide the planning expertise, insight and strategic direction needed to drive programmes forward and overcome delivery challenges.

You'll lead the development and management of integrated project schedules, bringing together design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover activities into a clear and deliverable plan. Through robust programme controls, you'll establish and manage baselines, monitor performance and ensure project teams have the information they need to make confident, informed decisions.

Using your expertise in schedule analysis, you'll identify critical project risks and opportunities, assess potential impacts and help shape mitigation, recovery and acceleration strategies that keep projects on track. Your ability to interpret complex programme data and communicate key insights will be instrumental in supporting successful project outcomes.

Working closely with clients, contractors and multidisciplinary teams, you'll facilitate planning workshops, lead programme reviews and drive collaboration across all stages of project delivery. You'll review contractor programmes, compensation events and extension of time submissions, ensuring programme integrity and alignment with project objectives.

Beyond project delivery, you'll champion planning excellence across the business, helping to strengthen governance, improve reporting standards and embed best practice throughout our Project Controls capability. You'll also provide technical leadership and mentoring to colleagues, supporting the development of future planning talent while helping to shape the continued growth of our team.

This is an opportunity to influence major programmes, work with high‑profile clients and play a key role in delivering projects that make a lasting impact on communities and infrastructure across the UK.

You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative Project Controls community working on some of the UK's most challenging and rewarding programmes. We offer opportunities to develop your career, work with industry‑leading clients and contribute to projects that make a lasting impact on communities across the country.

If you're passionate about planning, enjoy solving complex challenges and want to be part of a team delivering major projects, we'd love to hear from you.

Locations and Working Arrangements

• We have got roles across UK North locations - Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Warrington
• This is a hybrid role that requires presence in the office or travel to client site locations on a regular basis (min 2 days in the office if no client visits)

Requirements

• Proven solid experience in project planning, scheduling or project controls within construction, infrastructure or engineering environments.
• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline, with relevant professional accreditation being advantageous
• Significant construction experience on major multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and a strong understanding of schedule risk analysis and planning best practices.
• Experience generating Earned Value reports as well as graphic and tabular progress reports.
• Ability to develop programmes from first principles as well as critical interrogation of suppliers’ programmes.
• Good understanding of design process.
• Knowledge of NEC3 /NEC4 and its application to the programme.
• Knowledge of Project Management techniques as described in APM Guidelines or similar learned society.

Benefits and Perks

• Up to 10% pension
• 24 days (+10 days bought) holidays
• Free medical and income protection insurance and many more!

About Jacobs

At Jacobs, you'll find more than just a job. You'll discover

• A global network of expertise and opportunity
• A culture founded on safety, integrity, inclusion, and belonging
• Flexible working arrangements that support your well‑being and potential
• Opportunities to make a real‑world impact through our global giving and volunteering programs

Culture & Values

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

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