Planning Manager

Programme Planning ManagerLocation: London Gatwick AirportSalary: Circa £86,000paBenefits: + 5% Welcome Bonus + £4,750pa Flex Allowance + up to 20% Bonus + BenefitsContract Type: PermanentWorking Format: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)Hours: 40 hours per weekIndustry Experience: Major Civils/Infrastructure We are seeking a Programme Planning Manager to join our Airfields and Civils programme, providing key support to the Northern Runway projects. These projects range from road and pavement refurbishments to the full resurfacing of the runway, with values between £100m and £250m. This is a high-impact, client-facing role, ideal for someone with substantial experience in major civil and infrastructure projects. You will work closely with the Programme Manager to ensure the programme is well-structured, cost-aligned, risk-informed, and delivered efficiently. You will lead planning teams across multiple projects, maintaining accurate schedules, managing programme interfaces, and driving best practice in planning performance and forecasting. This leadership position will influence strategic decisions, operational readiness, and successful project outcomes across Gatwick's investment portfolio. Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in construction, engineering, or a related field.
• Professional membership (e.g., RICS) or working towards recognised certification.
• Minimum 10 years' experience as a senior planner on multi-year projects exceeding £50m.
• Experience managing small planning teams (2-3 people) is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience using Primavera P6.
• Background planning large civil, airfield, or infrastructure programmes with multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience working in live operational environments; airport experience advantageous.
• Strong commercial and financial understanding; knowledge of NEC contracts is desirable.

Key Responsibilities: Planning Leadership:

• Lead and manage planning teams across multiple infrastructure projects.
• Set high standards for planning processes, team performance, and reporting.
• Coach and mentor team members, supporting their professional growth.

Programme Scheduling & Assurance:

• Develop, maintain, and assure programme schedules throughout the project lifecycle.
• Incorporate all internal and external activities, dependencies, and milestones.
• Manage contract programme assessments, acceptances/rejections, and schedule delay analysis.
• Evaluate compensation events and ensure NEC-aligned planning compliance.

Performance Reporting & Cost Alignment:

• Report schedule information into construction cost estimating systems.
• Ensure actual durations and tender timelines are accurately recorded to improve data quality.
• Support monthly cost reviews and maintain alignment between cost plans and programme schedules.
• Assist with monthly forecasting, targeting 5% accuracy month-on-month.

Risk, Opportunity & Safety Culture:

• Support the management of Programme/Project Risk & Opportunity Registers.
• Assess time-related impacts and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Promote a culture of world-class health, safety, and environmental performance across all projects and contractors.

Skills & Behaviours:

• Strong leadership, coaching, and influencing abilities.
• Clear communication skills, able to simplify complex information for senior stakeholders.
• High resilience, adaptability, and comfort working with ambiguity.
• Understanding of airport operations is advantageous.