Senior Planner

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking a Senior Planner to join a major infrastructure programme within the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU). This is an exciting opportunity to support our client working closely with the Design team to ensure successful delivery of complex rail infrastructure design activities in line with programme objectives. This is initially a 6 month contract that will be based in York 2 days a week and Leeds 1 day a week.

You will play a key role in coordinating and managing programme schedules, ensuring design deliverables are planned, tracked, and delivered effectively within a high-pressure, fast-paced project environment. Working with a broad range of stakeholders, you will provide critical planning expertise, performance reporting, and programme controls support to drive successful project outcomes.

This is an urgent requirement and offers a quick start for the right candidate, with the opportunity to contribute to one of the UK's most significant rail infrastructure programmes.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and manage integrated project schedules to support design delivery across the East of Leeds Alliance
• Ensure programme plans accurately reflect project scope, milestones, dependencies, and resource requirements
• Monitor progress against baseline schedules and identify risks, issues, and opportunities affecting delivery
• Apply Earned Value Management (EVM) principles to measure project performance and provide accurate forecasting
• Produce programme reports, performance metrics, and schedule analyses for project leadership and key stakeholders
• Work closely with design teams, project managers, and programme controls functions to align delivery activities
• Support critical path analysis, schedule optimisation, and scenario planning activities
• Facilitate planning workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions to drive programme alignment

About You

• Proven experience working as a Senior Planner on large-scale infrastructure, rail, engineering, or construction programmes
• Strong proficiency with Primavera P6
• Demonstrable experience applying Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies and reporting
• Experience developing and managing complex project schedules with multiple workstreams and dependencies
• Strong understanding of programme controls, schedule management, and project performance measurement
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, high-pressure project environment
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including design and engineering functions
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reporting capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice to Have

• Previous experience working on major rail infrastructure programmes
• Experience within alliance-based delivery models
• Understanding of rail design and engineering delivery processes
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and programme management principles
• Professional qualifications in Project Controls, Planning, or Project Management

About Us

FDM is an award-winning global leader in tech and business talent solutions, backed by more than 35 years of industry experience. We have centres across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, and a global workforce of over 2500 employees. FDM has shown exponential growth throughout the years, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning employer, currently listed on the FTSE4Good Index and as a 2026 Financial Times UK ‘Best Employer’.

Diversity and Inclusion

FDM Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

Why join us

• Career coaching, mentoring and access to upskilling throughout your entire FDM career
• Assignments with global companies and opportunities to work abroad
• Opportunity to re-skill and up-skill into new areas, develop non-linear career paths and build a skillset within your field
• Annual leave and work-place pension