Senior Project Manager

Planning Manager

Location: Bristol Salary: £90,000–£95,000 + Package Sector: Civil Engineering / Infrastructure / Water Framework: Major AMP8 Water Framework Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Planning Manager

A leading UK infrastructure contractor is looking for an experienced Planning Manager to join its Bristol team, supporting the delivery of major civil engineering and infrastructure projects across a long-term AMP8 water framework.

This is a senior Planning Manager position for someone who combines strong construction planning expertise with genuine site and engineering experience.

The ideal candidate will have started their career in an operational engineering role, such as Site Engineer, Section Engineer, Project Engineer, Senior Engineer, Sub Agent or Site Agent, before progressing into planning and programme management.

The successful Planning Manager will take ownership of planning across pre-construction and live delivery, working closely with engineering, commercial, operational and project leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Development

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Lead the development and management of detailed construction programmes from first principles.

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Produce fully logic-linked programmes covering design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.

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Ensure programmes accurately reflect construction methodology, sequencing and site constraints.

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Manage programmes from pre-construction through to project completion.

Programme Control & Delivery

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Monitor progress against agreed baselines and identify critical paths, risks and key delivery constraints.

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Produce accurate forecasts, look-ahead programmes and progress updates.

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Develop recovery programmes and mitigation strategies where delays or delivery risks arise.

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Integrate subcontractor, supplier and design programmes into the overall master programme.

Change & Commercial Support

The Planning Manager will work closely with commercial and project teams to understand the programme impact of change, delay and contractual events.

Experience of NEC contracts, programme change and contractual planning requirements would be particularly valuable.

Stakeholder Management

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Lead programme reviews with project, engineering, commercial and operational teams.

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Communicate programme performance clearly to senior management, clients and key stakeholders.

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Challenge programme logic, sequencing and delivery assumptions where required.

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Work closely with site teams to ensure planning remains realistic and achievable.

Planning Leadership

The Planning Manager will also help drive planning standards across the project team, supporting and mentoring Planners and Senior Planners while promoting consistent programme controls and best practice.

Planning Manager Requirements

The successful candidate should have significant experience as a Planning Manager, Senior Planning Manager, Lead Planner or highly experienced Senior Planner.

They should also have:

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A strong background in civil engineering, infrastructure or major construction.

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Previous hands-on engineering or site delivery experience.

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Strong knowledge of Primavera P6 and/or Asta Powerproject.

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Proven experience developing complex construction programmes from first principles.

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Strong understanding of construction sequencing, methodology and site delivery.

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Experience managing critical paths, programme risk, delay mitigation and recovery planning.

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The confidence to work closely with senior project, engineering, commercial and client teams.

Desirable Experience

Experience within water, wastewater, utilities, AMP frameworks, heavy civils or major infrastructure would be highly advantageous.

Previous NEC contract experience and knowledge of programme change, compensation events and contractual programme requirements would also be beneficial.

Ideal Planning Manager Profile

This role is particularly well suited to someone who has developed through the operational side of construction before moving into senior planning.

A typical background might look like:

Site Engineer / Section Engineer → Project Engineer / Site Agent → Planner → Senior Planner → Planning Manager

The client is looking for a Planning Manager who understands how projects are physically delivered on site, rather than someone from a purely desktop planning or project-controls background.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Planning Manager to take a senior role on a major long-term infrastructure framework with a well-established UK contractor