Planning Lead

Job Description

Planning Lead – Major Data Centre Project

Location: London

Sector: Data Centres / Mission Critical

Employment Type: Permanent

Salary: Competitive + Package + Bonus

The Opportunity

A leading main contractor is seeking an experienced Planning Lead to join a flagship hyperscale data centre project in London. This is a high-profile, technically complex scheme delivering mission critical infrastructure to the highest standards of quality, safety, and programme certainty.

The successful candidate will lead all planning and programme management activities across the project lifecycle, working closely with project directors, commercial teams, consultants, subcontractors, and client stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior planner looking to take ownership of a major scheme within a fast-growing sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, management, and maintenance of the master construction programme.
• Manage short-term and long-term planning activities across all project phases.
• Coordinate planning inputs from design, procurement, commercial, and construction teams.
• Produce detailed progress reports, programme updates, and critical path analysis.
• Identify programme risks, delays, and mitigation strategies.
• Chair planning and progress meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Review subcontractor programmes and ensure alignment with overall project milestones.
• Support project controls, earned value reporting, and change management processes.
• Provide strategic planning support to senior leadership and client teams.
• Ensure all programmes are compliant with contractual obligations and project requirements.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a Planning Lead or Senior Planner role with a Tier 1 or large main contractor.
• Strong background delivering large-scale construction projects, ideally within:
• Data centres
• Mission critical facilities
• MEP-intensive projects
• Pharmaceutical or industrial projects
• Expert knowledge of Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, logistics, commissioning, and project controls.
• Experience managing programmes on projects valued £100m+.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Degree qualified in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline .

Desirable Experience

• Previous hyperscale data centre experience.
• NEC and/or JCT contract knowledge.
• Experience working in live or mission critical environments.
• Familiarity with BIM-integrated planning and 4D sequencing.

What’s on Offer

• Opportunity to work on one of the region’s most significant data centre developments.
• Long-term career progression within a growing mission critical division.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Collaborative, high-performing project environment.
• Exposure to cutting-edge construction and engineering solutions.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced construction planner seeking a leadership role on a landmark data centre project in London, we would like to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV and project experience for confidential consideration.