Lead Planning Engineer

About the company

My client is a fast growing Engineering Services business. They support complex and challenging projects across a variety of sectors, including mission-critical facilities, infrastructure, energy, and life sciences. The team focuses on proactive schedule management, enhanced by Visualization and Digital Construction (VDC) technologies—such as 3D, 4D, and 5D animations, digital twins, and digital rehearsals. With a commitment to fostering enhanced collaboration, strategic decision-making, and improved project knowledge.

Role Overview

This pivotal role will involve managing a team of engineers responsible for the creation, maintenance, and coordination of construction schedules across diverse international projects. The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO to address resource allocation and ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery. As part of a forward-thinking organisation, the Planning Manager will play a crucial role in enhancing project planning capabilities and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Accountabilities

• Lead the team of engineers responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring construction schedules.
• Organize the team based on project requirements and individual strengths, ensuring clarity in roles and responsibilities.
• Coordinate regular meetings to review progress, discuss challenges, and share best practices, fostering a collaborative environment.
• Provide guidance and support to enhance team skill sets and performance.
• Implement training sessions to improve technical skills in project scheduling and project management software.
• Conduct regular performance assessments, offering constructive feedback and identifying opportunities for individual career development.
• Establish a motivating work environment that promotes engagement and commitment.
• Initiate recognition systems to celebrate achievements and contributions, nurturing a culture of appreciation within the team.

Resource allocation

• Collaborate with the CEO and project leads to evaluate the resource requirements for each project based on scope, complexity, and deadlines.
• Create a comprehensive resource matrix to visualize resource allocation, availability, and workload across all projects.
• Efficiently allocate personnel and tools, ensuring the right resources are assigned to the right tasks.
• Develop strategies to optimize the performance and efficiency of available resources, adjusting allocations as project needs evolve.
• Continuously monitor resource utilization and adjust allocations as necessary to respond to project dynamics.
• Provide regular updates to the leadership team about resource status, highlighting any potential issues or adjustments needed.

Project Schedule Management

• Lead the team in creating robust construction schedules for multiple projects that align with strategic business goals and client expectations.
• Collaborate with project managers to identify key milestones and deliverables within each project timeline.
• Gather input from various stakeholders to ensure schedules reflect realistic constraints and resources.
• Continuously track the progress of projects against established schedules.
• Use scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6) to monitor project timelines, resource allocation, and progress.
• Implement weekly status updates and reviews to identify delays, potential bottlenecks, and areas needing immediate attention.
• Establish a systematic method for managing changes to project schedules.
• Ensure all changes are documented accurately, including justifications and expected impacts on project timelines.
• Develop communication protocols for disseminating changes to relevant stakeholders.

Claims and Variations Management

• Lead the analysis and preparation of claims related to project delays and variations.
• Identify risks associated with potential delays and variations early in the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with legal and financial teams to verify that claims are substantiated by documented evidence and aligned with contractual obligations.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to resolve claims and variations amicably.
• Foster transparent communication with clients regarding potential impacts of changes, maintaining trust and rapport.
• Implement effective conflict resolution strategies to handle disputes that may arise from claims management.

Client Engagement

• Act as the lead liaison between Strata and key clients.
• Conduct needs assessments to clearly understand client objectives, expectations, and pain points.
• Provide tailored planning solutions that address specific client requirements while aligning with Strata's operational capabilities.
• Maintain open lines of communication, ensuring clients receive timely updates regarding project status.
• Schedule regular meetings and provide detailed reports that highlight project progress, challenges, and next steps.
• Establish feedback mechanisms to solicit client input, using it to refine processes and improve service delivery.

Collaboration with VDC and Analytics Teams

• Partner with the VDC team to create 4D models that visually represent project timelines and phasing.
• Collaborate to develop user-friendly visualization tools that enhance stakeholder understanding of project progress.
• Ensure that scheduling data is integrated into VDC processes for improved accuracy and storytelling of project phases.
• Work with the analytics team to capture and process project data effectively, applying data-driven analyses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate to create real-time dashboards that provide comprehensive visibility into project metrics, facilitating active decision-making.
• Develop customized reporting tools that align with client needs, ensuring they receive the necessary insights for effective project oversight.
• Establish a feedback loop with the analytics team to continuously refine reporting metrics based on stakeholder needs and project evolution.
• Assess the effectiveness of current reporting tools and make iterative improvements based on practical applications and feedback received.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management, Strategy/Planning, and Engineering

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