Our Life Science & Tech business in the UK is looking for a new Lead Planner or Planning Manager for the business unit. 

John Sisk & Son have been building excellence as a family-owned international construction company by offering trust, certainty and value to our clients whilst being at the heart of change.

The Planning Manager is responsible for leading and delivering all planning and scheduling activities for assigned projects. Reporting to the Project Controls Lead or Lead Planner, the role ensures the development, implementation and monitoring of robust project programmes in line with contractual requirements. The Planning Manager provides guidance to project teams, drives proactive decision-making and supports timely project delivery. 

Planning and Scheduling

• Develop, maintain and manage project schedules for design, procurement and construction phases.
• Monitor programme progress, identify delays and propose corrective actions.
• Ensure alignment of project activities with resources, constraints and critical milestones.
• Prepare and update short-term lookahead programmes and monthly progress reports.
• Liaise with project teams to coordinate interfaces and dependencies across discipline

Reporting and Analysis

• Produce accurate and timely programme reports, highlighting risks, trends and opportunities.
• Support Project Controls Lead in the preparation of programme updates for senior management and clients.
• Conduct impact assessments for design changes, variation orders and contractual amendments.
• Analyse programme performance, including schedule adherence, float utilisation and critical path accuracy.

Risk and Compliance

• Maintain project risk and opportunity registers related to planning and scheduling.
• Support audits and reviews of project schedules and planning processes.
• Ensure compliance with company planning procedures, contractual obligations and statutory requirements.

Team Leadership and Development

• Mentor and support senior planners, planners and junior planners.
• Promote best practice in planning, scheduling and programme management across the project team.
• Support the development and implementation of planning procedures, templates and systems
• Coordinate training and development for planning staff to ensure competency and knowledge growth.

Stakeholder EngagementLiaise with project managers, site teams, design teams and commercial staff to provide planning guidance.

• Support client reporting and attend project meetings as required.
• Ensure effective communication of programme updates, risks and recovery plans across stakeholders.

Experience and Skills

• Extensive experience in construction planning and project scheduling.
• Strong knowledge of project planning software, including Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project.
• Proven ability to manage complex programmes across multiple disciplines.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Experience in coordinating planning activities with cost, risk and resource management.

Required Qualifications and Training

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Construction, Engineering or related discipline
• Proven experience in planning management on medium to large-scale construction projects.
• Proficiency in planning and scheduling software.

Desirable Qualifications and Training

• Membership of a recognised planning or project controls body (APM, PMI or similar).
• Knowledge of BIM integration in planning processes.
• Experience in programme recovery and proactive risk management.

• Competitive salary
• 26 days annual leave plus additional company days
• Pension and benefits
• Unlimited learning and development opportunities
• Much more

Our People and Recruitment Commitment

At Sisk Group our people are at the heart of our success. We offer the chance to work with purpose, build a career with no limits and be part of a great team.

All vacancies are managed directly by our Internal Recruitment Team. Unsolicited contact or speculative CVs from unapproved agencies will not be accepted and no introductory fees will apply.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or any other protected characteristic.

Reasonable adjustments are available during the recruitment process

We know the confidence gap and imposter phenomenon can stop talented candidates applying. You do not need to meet every criterion – your skills and potential matter. Don’t hold back we want to hear from you

All recruitment materials comply with legal and regulatory requirements including the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the Equality Acts UK and Ireland