Senior Planner - Reed Talent Solutions : Job Details

About us

United Utilities’ (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to develop. It’s an exciting time to become a part of our overall PMO structure as our capital programme increases significantly over the next five years. If you are passionate about making a positive difference for the North West of England and want to join us on our journey of transformation, we would love to hear from you.

The role

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can utilise your wealth of project planning expertise from large or complex projects? If yes, then we have a brilliant opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a Senior Planner.

As a Senior Planner you will be responsible for producing and maintaining the Client Project schedule, ensuring integration with 3rd Party Interfaces and Design/Procurement Programme. The role includes oversight of development, and management of Client Project-Level programmes, integration and coordination of Contractor Work Packages, and reporting against measured baselines.

We are excited to offer you a flexible and hybrid working model that lets you balance your work and life and enjoy the benefits of working with us wherever you are. You can choose to work from our main sites close to Warrington, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Kendal, or from any of our other hubs across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria. In-person attendance is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Key accountabilities

• Oversee production of Client Project-level and Contractor Work Package-level schedules.
• Support the Planning Manager(s) and ensure schedules are in line with the required Project Structure and level of detail appropriate for the commercial model and lifecycle phase.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop key principles, constraints and scenarios, delivering solutions that can be adopted as baseline.
• Analyse and evaluate the programme/project schedule progress and performance, identifying and addressing potential issues and supporting solution implementation.
• Manage and control the critical path to ensure timely project delivery.
• Assess the impact of trends and changes, ensuring that any agreed changes to the baseline are implemented promptly.
• Establish and maintain a robust forecasting process, conducting regular reviews with contributors to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Lead the schedule review of contractor claims or disputes.
• Monitor on-site work progress against key milestones and produce accurate progress reports in line with the monthly reporting cycle.
• Conduct risk analysis/assessment and apply Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA) where necessary.
• Support the Project Manager, Planning Lead, and Senior Project Controller with all schedule-related issues.
• Report on schedule metrics for Earned Value Management (EVM) across projects.

Skills & experience

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Substantial recent experience in Programme Controls, Planning, Scheduling, and Programme Optimisation.
• Expertise of design and build techniques, methods and durations, with ability to plan and schedule detailed bottom-up construction programmes.
• Proficiency in Primavera and similar planning software.
• Great leadership skills with the ability to create high-performing teams.
• Proven experience in implementing system and process improvements to boost technical capabilities within a team.
• Professional qualification such as MAPM, AcostE, RICS, or equivalent in Project Management/Project Controls.

Other

• Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms.
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes