Assosicate Director - Planning and Controls

Associate Director - Planning & Project Controls

Location: Surrey (Hybrid)Sector: Science, Research & Government InfrastructureSalary: Up to £100k plus car, travel, bonus and an excellent benefits package

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Associate Director to lead the planning and project controls function on one of the UK's most strategically significant science and infrastructure programmes. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team delivering a once-in-a-generation investment into national biosecurity and animal health resilience.

You will play a key role in the successful delivery of a multi-year transformation of the Animal and Plant Health Agency campus in Surrey. This role offers the chance to contribute to a high-profile programme that directly supports public and animal health across the UK.

The Programme

The programme is a major capital investment into the UK's capability to detect, prevent, and respond to animal-borne disease - many of which pose a direct risk to human health.

Our client is overseeing the delivery of a new state-of-the-art science and research facility, alongside significant campus-wide redevelopment. The scope includes:

• Construction of cutting-edge laboratories, technical spaces, and shared research infrastructure
• Refurbishment of key existing facilities
• Demolition of legacy assets
• Implementation of modern methods of construction (MMC) and digital command centres
• A campus-wide biodiversity and landscape enhancement strategy

This is a complex, multi-phase programme requiring integrated planning and robust project controls to ensure successful delivery over a five-year+ horizon.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the integrated master programme across all phases of the SCAH programme
• Develop fully resource- and cost-loaded schedules using tools such as Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, and MS Project
• Oversee earned value management (EVM), performance tracking, and KPI reporting
• Conduct risk-based planning, scenario modelling, and time impact assessments to inform decision-making
• Collaborate with delivery, commercial, PMO, and technical leads to ensure alignment across workstreams
• Embed best practice planning and control methodologies across the programme
• Produce high-quality reporting outputs tailored to client, government, and executive stakeholders
• Support procurement strategy alignment, constructability planning, and digital reporting initiatives
• Mentor junior planners and foster a culture of excellence in programme management

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Extensive planning and project controls experience on complex capital programmes (£100m+), ideally in sectors such as science, healthcare, life sciences, or infrastructure
• Proven ability to lead planning functions across multi-phase programmes or portfolios
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject, and associated planning tools
• Strong capability in EVM, change control, risk management, and integrated reporting
• Understanding of modern construction methodologies, digital delivery, and MMC principles
• Familiarity with NEC3/4 and other collaborative contracting forms
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Degree-qualified in construction, engineering, or a related discipline
• Professional membership (APM, CIOB, ICE, RICS, etc.) is advantageous

If you think that this is the role for you, please apply with your latest CV