Principal Project Planner

MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE

The Principal Project Planner is part of the Planning & Reporting IPT team and provides planning support to the wider TRU Programmes. The role requires dedication and an ability to work within a busy team environment and the ability to gather and interpret complex project data. to co-ordinate the creation and update of integrated schedules as well as support coherent and timely production of schedules.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Demonstrate appropriate behaviours and ‘best for programme’ approaches are always adopted, leading by example in the pursuit of successful delivery of the Programme to the benefit of all Delivery & Enterprise Partners.
• Produce fully integrated multi-discipline summary schedules using planning software.
• Oversee the production of Level 2 and Level 1 integrated schedules, ensure data is collated and challenged with enterprise partners to ensure a single source of truth.
• Produce periodic project planning related information for the Programme as instructed.
• Assist Project Controls function in the production of reports as required for the Programme.
• Ensuring that the planning management software is kept up-to-date and managed in accordance with procedures and with instruction from the Planning & Scheduling Manager.
• Produce periodic Schedule Adherence Reports for review by the Planning & Scheduling Manager.
• Build effective working relationships with the Planning & Scheduling Manager, with peers and colleagues in the TRU Programme Team. Willing to foster knowledge sharing, learning, development and collaboration across projects and sectors
• Assist in the development and mentoring of junior planning and project control staff.
• Support the Planning & Scheduling Manager where required.
• Participate and support the planning team in planning and progress meetings.
• Lead in the production of schedules, including facilitating integration workshops and ensuring compliance with the TRU Schedule Management Plan.
• Provide the senior management with schedule information to allow informed and timely strategic decisions.
• Ensure all 3rd party interfaces, assumptions and risks are identified and communicated accordingly.
• Agree and establish client and other stakeholder reporting requirements for all assigned projects.
• Establish regular face to face meetings with Delivery Partner counterparts.
• Review and where appropriate challenge and assure Delivery Partner schedules.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required in line with capabilities and the wider TRU programme.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERTISE

• Preferably educated to degree level in a relevant subject and/or transferrable industry expertise.
• 8 to 10 years relevant planning experience.
• High level numeracy and IT skills, with proven ability to expertly use a range of relevant software, in particular MS Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint and Timeline Pro.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in using Primavera P6 or similar planning software.
• Membership of a relevant professional body and/or have a CPD established to attain membership.

KEY COMPETENCIES – TECHNICAL

• Ideally have railway or engineering industry experience or experience of working on collaborative projects with multiple companies.
• Detailed working knowledge of Project Lifecycle, Programming/Planning, Schedule Management and Reporting.

KEY COMPETENCIES – BEHAVIOURAL

• Excellent communication skills and ability to form positive internal and external relationships.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a diverse workload.
• Personal resilience and ability to thrive in a challenging and fast-moving environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team and able to seek out opportunities.