About The Company 

We are a leading innovative and sustainable provider of mechanical and electrical engineering solutions. We offer full design, installation and construction services from conception to completion using the latest technology and software, with offices across three continents and a client base that spreads over fourteen sectors.

Since Designer Group was established in 1992, we have reached many significant international milestones that have attributed to our global presence and success. Having completed more than 800 projects, we are a confident and energetic business with strong foundations.

Whilst we maybe a fairly new entrant to the data center market, we certainly have a dedicated, ambitious team, recognised by clients for outstanding commitment to quality and delivery.

A transparent, values lead business that invests heavily in our people, always going the extra mile to deliver.

Our Values

Our success is founded upon a set of open, honest values that focus on our people, our clients and their goals.

Safe, Trust, Respect, Challenge and Deliver

Our values are who we are, what we stand for, and how we behave. We ask our people to embrace these behaviours and adopt this approach in the way they go about their work, every day. Our values are the foundation for our competitive intentions. They guide our decision making, shape our goals and underpin the execution of our strategy and vision. We promise to be a value led business where you can build a long and rewarding career and our behaviour reflects this.

The Role 

As a Senior Project Planner you will play an active role in project management support of multi-disciplined, multi-sector project delivery work by facilitating the planning, scheduling and controlling processes. Providing advice, support and clear communication of fact-based answers to key management questions which will aid in intelligent and effective decision making and must escalate and flag internally to the Lead Planner (& Planning Manager) immediately where there is risk to the company.

Key Functions of the Project Planner

• Review Contract documentation and highlight key schedule and tracking requirements
• Develop Construction schedule based on high level target schedule and WBS received from Project manager
• Support in client schedule negotiations
• Labour & Metrics load the schedule based on hours & quantities received from the Commercial Team
• Develop the required Trackers and Reporting templates

Role & Responsibilities 

In conjunction with your project team, you will be responsible for the execution of various stages of a project as follows:

Business Unit Support:

• Point of contact for the Project Manager for all project related planning issues
• Develop Schedule’s and Histograms for Bid Support as required by the Lead Planner

Programme Co-ordination (Planning Phase of Project Life Cycle):

• Support the implementation of Planning Process
• Review Contract documentation concerning Schedule and Reporting Requirements and ensure that they are met
• Facilitate Planning Meeting(s) where required
• Validation of High-Level Target Schedule as received from PM considering current emerging IFC project information
• Optimize build schedule & develop “Pinch Point Register” identifying where we are not in agreement with Main Contractors / CMT schedule
• High level labour load of Target Schedule to be completed and S-Curve to be produced
• Submit the Schedule and S-curve (& all subsequent schedules) for review and approval to the Lead Planner
• Negotiation strategy to be developed to deal with main contractor schedule risk – influence favorable outcome
• Organize with company PM & attend meeting with Main Contractor / CMT to negotiate and agree company optimum build schedule – minute and circulate
• Revise/Develop and add agreed level of detail to schedule
• Assist Main Contractor/CMT in development of an overall integrated schedule
• Ensure that the schedule is “Labour Loaded” and aligned with the Commercial Department Budgets – highlight any weeks where large progress is forecasted to PM’s, Lead Planner & Planning Manager
• Produce Build Methodology/Phasing Drawings

Status and Performance Advisor (Controlling Phase of Project Life Cycle):

• Provide clear communication of early warnings to project management teams obtained from progress reports and knowledge of project field conditions
• Advise project teams on ways to improve performance
• Monitor package progress and efficiency (direct and subcontract) provide “estimate at completion” on labor man-hour spend in conjunction with the Commercial Team
• Chair and facilitate weekly “Look Ahead” Meetings on site with SM’s as required
• Progress Measuring/recording & collating actual installation progress for installation progress reporting
• Weekly Spent/Earned man-hours efficiency reporting in conjunction with the Commercial Team
• Compilation of and issuing of period progress reports (internal/external / dashboard)
• Produce Weekly “Drop-line Schedule” cw. 2 week look ahead and 2-week retrospective
• Schedule management, revision and maintenance
• Escalation of risk items to Lead Planner & Planning Manager

• Present the latest version of the schedule to the construction team to ensure there is a thorough understanding
• Support in Risk identification & mitigation

General

• Identify new opportunities to improve service

Knowledge/Qualifications and Experience

• Degree qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or strong trades background coupled with technical ability will be considered
• Ideally you will possess 4+ years’ experience/demonstrate ability to develop and implement plans, monitor and control work
• Previous experience in a pharma/biomedical/medical devices environment is required.
• Must be capable of producing project plans from design and commercial information
• Microsoft Project/P6 or Equivalent Planning Software, Microsoft Office tools
• Excellent report writing skills
• Time management essential to satisfy demands of busy schedule and reporting calendar

Desired Competencies/special role requirements

• Primavera P6 planning software experience

Equal Opportunities

Designer Group is an equal ​opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.