Senior Planner

4 weeks ago

Broughton, United Kingdom East West Rail Full time
DescriptionA little bit about us:
East West Rail is a proposed new railway linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that – improving prosperity for people and places along the way.

East West Railway Company (that’s us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.

Role Summary:
Responsible for development and maintenance of our p6 plans. As a member of the planning team, you will be deployed to a project and expected to build, update and report progress from the plan. Communication skills, proficiency with primavera p6 and ability to convert the data into actionable insights are the mechanisms to deliver East West Rail.
 
Team dimensions:
East West Rail operates a matrix structure You will be part of a team of planners reporting directly to the Head of Planning.
Given the early stage of the project, it is likely that the nature of the role may evolve as the project progresses. It is also possible that other ad-hoc activities and duties may be required.

Key ResponsibilitiesLead review meetings to ensure the P6 integrated programme schedule is 'baselined' and fit for purpose including:
  •  Review of logic, dependencies, durations and interfaces.
  • Carry out schedule quality checks and fix as appropriate such as float, logic and use of constraints.
  • Scrutinise and report on main contractor p6 programmes
  • Ensure all plans are in line with the EWR Planning Procedure
  • Review and report against all milestones 
  • Document and maintain schedule assumptions and risks.
  • Support the development of a Baseline Schedule Narrative
On an ongoing periodic/monthly basis:
  • Review and update forecasts for the DfT, TOC, Alliance and other component parts of the schedule
  • Review and accept programme submissions under the NEC as required
  • Provide supporting reports and interface with other reporting tools on schedule performance as required
  • Implement Earned value as required
  • Integrate all aspects of the programme, maintaining a clear understanding of programme logic and dependencies
  • Identify and report against critical activities, paths and float
  • Support the development of working processes and procedures e.g. codes
  • Maintain schedule assumptions and risks


Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
  • Be proactive. Always asking the right questions and constantly talking to everyone from PM to laborer to keep their finger on the pulse.
  • Understand both technical and commercial. They will know the contract and sub-contracts inside out and ensure that the schedule and scope are aligned with them.
  • Provide a clear path ahead. Understand that a schedule is useless if not crystal clear for the team. Anyone who doesn’t know the project can pick up their schedule and understand what is going on quickly.
  • Become regarded by the team as an all-knowing oracle of past, present and future.
  • Strong communicator, able to cut through the noise with clear thinking.
  • Substantial hands-on experience working on major rail infrastructure projects or similar developing and maintaining multi-disciplined schedules.
  • Good understanding of construction preferably in the rail sector.
  • Extensive knowledge of planning tools (i.e., Primavera P6), processes and techniques and the ability to use them to develop and improve schedule performance.
  • Ability to interrogate and challenge schedules and identify efficiencies.
  • Strong process management, presentation and written communication skills.
Education and qualifications:
  • Project Planning Practitioner (PPP).
  • Degree or equivalent in project management or engineering or equivalent training and experience. 


BenefitsWhat we offer:

•     Competitive base salary •     Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution •     36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy •     Life assurance •     Employee Assistance Programme •     Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies •     On-the-spot and annual awards •     Advanced learning and development programmes •     Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities •     Enhanced family-friendly policies •     Exceptional IT tools

 
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.

 
Diversity and inclusion:
To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome, and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.

If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you. East West Railway Company is a new and exciting venture at the forefront of the changing landscape of the rail industry, delivering substantial fast-paced improvement to modernise the railway.