Planning Assistant

Planning Assistant

**Location**:
York, GB

**Department Name**:
System Operator...SPI.2

**About Network Rail**:
**Key Vacancy Information**

**Duration**: Permanent

This role is a full-time opportunity, but flexible working patterns will be considered.

**Location**: York West offices

**Band & Salary**: Band 5, Salary £26,000 - £26,500

**Hiring Manager & Resourcer**:Andrew Morrison and Dominic Jeffs

**About Network Rail**

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more

**About the function
**System Operator are passionate about capacity. We craft tomorrow's railway to meet future needs of the rail industry. By understanding what the future requirements of the railway are, we can plan the long-term capability of the network, promoting the efficient use of network capacity. We improve the railway for the millions of people who use it every single day.

**Brief Description**:
**Who are we looking for?**

We are looking for someone who can assist Project Planners and Sponsors by developing, updating, and inputting project plans into project support systems, seeking updated information and preparing reports as required. It will also be important to able to communicate well at all levels to assist with external reporting of progress. This role will also provide a training post to develop staff into Project Planners.

**What does the manager say?**

“This a great opportunity to join a growing team, who are delivering some of biggest upgrades to the railway across the north of England. We will be supporting major programmes of work across the north including Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 East.

You will be supporting the Programme and Business Management team in reporting to external parties as well creating programmes to assist internal Sponsors and Senior Management.

You will be supported and guided as you create your own personal development plan as well as having opportunities to be involved with different projects along the way that will develop your skills and experiences”.

**About the role (External)**:
**What does the average day look like?**

As a Planning Assistant you will:

- Prepare as directed and in consultation with key project personnel and suppliers project plans capable of delivering the project objectives and enter these plans into planning support systems and when directed, develop recovery programmes and contingency plans in order to meet changed objectives.
- Assist the Project Planner by updating and monitoring of project progress. This may involve obtaining resourcing and cost forecasts using planning software and seeking feedback from Project Personnel
- Input the planning issues into the project's critical issues risk log, updating the risk register periodically as directed.
- Support the Project Planner by monitoring and auditing contractor/consultant plans, seeking information from suppliers as necessary, including the review of progress for payment purposes.
- Contribute to the production of programme pack which communicates the projects being worked on
- Support the wider planning team with their periodic reporting

**What essential skills and experiences are required?**
- Relevant experience in the successful planning of engineering projects.
- Knowledge of railway investment planning systems.

**We would also like, but not essential.**
- Membership of a relevant professional body with chartered status and/or educated to degree level.
- Understanding of the engineering requirements of work on the railway

**What can we offer you in return?**

We have a range of benefits including:

- 28 days annual leave entitlement, plus Bank Holidays and five volunteer days
- My Benefits - our discounted online shopping site
- A range of discounted offers including, Healthcare offers, cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits
- Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets
- A range of pension schemes
- Two weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community
- Training, development and employee assistance programme available

**A message from our Chief Executive, Andrew Haines**:
“
- We want to be on the side of the passengers and demonstrate our leadership across the rail industry. We will be an organisation that is easy to do business with, and one where our people are proud to work.

To achieve these ambitions, we will work to increase the diversity of our workforce so that we represent the passengers that we serve up and down the country - because everyone matters.” (2020)

**How to apply