Senior Planner

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group's business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

Senior Planners looking to plan out your future.... well get in touch as we have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Planner to join our team. We are looking for a Senior Planner to operate on our large framework in Plymouth and be involved in our South West porfolio of works.

Under the supervision of the Planning Manager and Project lead to be responsible for implementing the requirements of the project planning/programme requirements in accordance with the VolkerStevin Planning Standards, ensuring compliance with the business management systems. The role may also have aspects of team management as and when required.

A key part of the role is to establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with the project team, customer, supply chain and the wider planning community, becoming an integrated member of the project team.

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible at TENDER STAGE to the Planning Manager and Bid Manager for the range of activities involved in the project planning life cycle, which includes:

• Ensuring that the programme content is functionally compliant with the planning procedures and guidance
• Identifying planning scope, programme constraints and contract requirements
• Identifying major quantities and factors that may affect the programme
• Establishing and agreeing construction outputs, project calendars and working hours with operational support and Estimator
• Develop key methods of construction, sequencing, installation and commissioning works and agree with operational support and the Bid Team
• Producing and documenting the planning deliverables including tender planning worksheet, presentations, reports and drive the planning philosophy/strategy
• Produce the Tender Programme and supporting information in accordance with the tender requirements
• Actively value engineering alternatives and identify risks/opportunities
• Generation of time risk quantum and strategy for delivery stage for approval by the Planning Manager/Bid Manager
• Reconciling VolkerStevin and sub-contract plant/labour and major material elements with the Estimator
• Apply resource levelling techniques during programme production for labour, plant and materials
• Interfacing with third parties to identify and resolve issues
• Meets deadlines through effective time management
• Effectively communicates the planning and programme elements at the tender handover meeting

In addition to the above, at CONTRACT STAGE the Planner is accountable to the Planning Manager and Project Lead for:

• Ensuring that the Contract Programme is produced, managed and maintained in accordance with the VolkerStevin Planning Standards
• The overall planning strategy and the timing/sequence of the contract programme activities
• Maintaining the planning deliverables in the timeframe agreed with the Project Team. These include monthly contract programme updates, monthly programme reporting and submission documentation
• The issue and communication of the Contract Programme to the Project Lead for onward issue to Client and Project Team

About you

• A Degree or HND in a relevant subject is desirable, as is Professional membership of one or more of the following: RICS/CIOB/RIBA/ICE/CIBSE.
• Construction Knowledge - Have a broad knowledge of various construction methods and techniques
• Commercial Knowledge - Have practical experience of various contract and programme/planning requirements within contract
• Digital Planning - Proficient user of planning software and reports

Key development areas:

• Detailed knowledge of planning practices through different sectors - focusing on the benefits of different approaches
• Expert knowledge and experience of planning tools that are used in the industry
• Commercial and contact knowledge through different forms of contract - seen as the time and change experts in their sector
• Drive delivery of the programme and demonstrate productivity improvements

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.