Full job descriptionSenior Planner – Rail Programme Management Location: Birmingham or London

Salary: Up to £70,000 + benefits
Contract: 18-month Fixed Term Contract
Working Pattern: 5 days per week
Start: ASAP

Lead planning. Shape programme governance. Influence major rail delivery. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Planner to join a high-profile rail programme team on an 18-month fixed-term basis.

This is not a traditional P6 planning role.
You’ll sit within the PMO and take a lead role in managing programme planning, governance, reporting and deliverability across a complex portfolio of rail initiatives. The role offers the opportunity to influence senior stakeholders, challenge assumptions and ensure that major programme commitments are realistic, controlled and deliverable.

What makes this role different? Planning here goes well beyond simply producing schedules.

You’ll be working at the intersection of programme planning, governance, commercial reporting and business performance, using Primavera P6 as a central tool to provide visibility and control across the organisation.
You’ll work across:
*Accepted, integrated and transitional programmes, each with different objectives and expectations
*Annual business plans and contractual commitments
*Programme governance and milestone compliance
*Resource planning and timesheet management through P6
*Financial and performance reporting
*Programme deliverability and risk
*Interfaces with HS2, Network Rail and the Department for Transport
*The development and implementation of planning standards, processes and best practice
You’ll also lead and develop a small planning and reporting function, ensuring the business has the right capability, information and processes to support effective decision-making.
Your responsibilities will include: *Leading the production, maintenance and governance of programme schedules
*Ensuring the central programme plan remains the single source of truth
*Challenging planning assumptions and identifying programme deliverability risks
*Producing scenario plans to support future programme decisions
*Developing programme reporting for senior leadership and external stakeholders
*Ensuring schedules meet contractual and governance requirements
*Managing and developing the Planning team
*Supporting annual planning and rebaselining activities
*Using P6 to support resource, timesheet and financial reporting
*Developing planning processes, standards and good practice across the organisation
*Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders up to Director level
What we’re looking for You’ll be an experienced planner with strong programme controls experience and, crucially, extensive Primavera P6 expertise.
You’ll ideally bring:
*Extensive experience using Primavera P6
*Strong knowledge of project planning and programme control
*Experience working at programme level rather than solely on individual projects
*Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
*The confidence to challenge assumptions and provide constructive challenge
*Experience managing or developing planning professionals
*Knowledge of railway processes and operations would be advantageous
*Experience working with different contract types would be beneficial
*Degree-level education or demonstrable equivalent project delivery experience
*Membership of a relevant professional body
The opportunity This is a chance to step into a genuinely influential planning position where planning is central to programme governance, business performance and delivery assurance.

If you’re a Senior Planner who enjoys working in complex environments, influencing senior stakeholders and using planning to drive better business decisions — rather than simply maintaining a schedule — this could be an excellent opportunity.

18-month FTC | Up to £70k + benefits | Birmingham or London
Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.