Project Planner / Senior Planner – Major Building Contractor

Location: Durham (North East regional projects)

Salary: Competitive + full benefits package

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Project Planner or Senior Planner to join a long-established, privately owned UK main contractor with a major footprint across the North East. The business has a strong track record of delivering complex building schemes on time and to exacting standards, with a healthy pipeline of work across:

• Education
• Commercial offices and mixed-use developments
• Healthcare
• Retail & leisure
• Industrial / logistics
• Large residential and student accommodation

This is a permanent role, based from Durham, supporting projects across the wider region.

The role would suit either:

• An experienced Planner / Senior Planner looking for a new challenge with a reputable main contractor, or
• A Site Engineer or Site Manager keen to move into a planning role and use their site experience in a more programme-focused position.

Our client is open on specific software background (P6, Asta Powerproject, MS Project or similar) – they are more interested in appointing the right person than dictating the exact package you’ve used.

What you’ll be doing

As Project Planner with this major building contractor, you’ll help turn complex projects into clear, deliverable programmes – and keep them on track from tender through to handover. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the development of tender and contract programmes covering design, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning activities.
• Breaking projects down into a logical work breakdown structure, creating logic-linked activities and realistic durations for all key stages (enabling works, substructure, superstructure, façade, M&E, fit-out and handover).
• Assisting with the preparation of phasing plans and logistics plans for internal reviews, client presentations and tender submissions, and updating these as feedback comes in.
• Gathering and collating site data to support programme updates, progress reporting and “as-built” records, ensuring information is accurate, timely and clearly presented.
• Working closely with site teams to review and record construction progress, attending regular progress meetings and carrying out site walks to understand what is happening on the ground.
• Helping prepare monthly programme updates (including straight-line / jagged-line progress, milestones and key dates) to reflect actual performance against both contract and internal target programmes.
• Providing supporting information and narrative for client progress reports, ensuring programme and progress information is clear and consistent.
• Assisting with the integration of design release schedules and procurement lead-ins into the overall programme, liaising with pre-construction, design managers and key subcontractors.
• Contributing to change and delay analysis by supplying programme data and records to support early warnings, re-sequencing and extension-of-time submissions.
• Maintaining good document control for all planning outputs, ensuring programmes, phasing diagrams, updates and records are stored correctly in electronic systems.
• Capturing lessons learned and benchmarking information during and after projects to improve future tender and construction planning.
• Supporting the wider project team’s wellbeing and performance by communicating clearly, working collaboratively and contributing positively to team culture.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who wants to build a long-term career in planning with a major main contractor and enjoys turning complex information into clear, structured plans. You will be:

• Keen to learn – curious about how buildings go together and willing to develop a deep understanding of construction methods, sequencing and buildability.
• Analytical and methodical – comfortable working with detail, dates and logic links, with a structured approach to problem solving and “what if” scenarios.
• Confident with IT and planning software – ideally with exposure to P6, Asta Powerproject, MS Project or similar tools, and a good general level of Excel / MS Office skills.
• Comfortable reading drawings and specifications – able (or willing to learn quickly) to interpret construction information and understand how it translates into programme activities.
• A strong communicator – able to listen, question and explain programme information clearly to project managers, site teams, commercial staff, designers and subcontractors.
• Team-focused – enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, building good relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Flexible and proactive – happy to get out on site, gather information, take progress photos, chase updates and generally “join the dots” between the programme and what’s happening on the ground.
• Detail-conscious but commercially aware – appreciates that time, cost and quality are linked, and is interested in how programme decisions affect prelims, risk and profit.
• Organised and reliable – keeps records up to date, names and stores documents correctly, and takes pride in accurate, “right first time” work.

A relevant construction, engineering or built environment background (degree, HNC/HND or strong site-based experience) would be beneficial, but just as important are your attitude, willingness to learn and interest in planning as a long-term career path.

What’s on offer

• Secure, long-term role with a financially stable, privately owned main contractor
• Opportunity to work on varied, high-profile building projects across the North East
• Supportive environment for development – ideal for someone transitioning from site to planning, or an established planner looking to step up
• Very Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience
• Genuine career progression opportunities within a growing regional business

All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Full details of the hiring company will only be shared once we’ve spoken and you’re happy to proceed.

To apply, simply click Apply on this listing, or email your CV to cv@fulcrumrecruit.com If you have any questions beforehand, feel free to call me on 07880 369 557.