Senior Planning Manager

Job Description

Senior Planning Manager - Data Centres\n\nLocation: Flexible across the South East / London / Home Counties\n\nSalary: £130k + bonus + car allowance + benefits\n\nThe Opportunity\n\nA rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Planning Manager to join one of the UK's fastest-growing construction businesses and lead planning delivery across a portfolio of major data centre projects.\n\nWith annual turnover exceeding £1bn and a strong reputation for delivering complex projects across multiple sectors, the business combines the capability, financial strength and project pipeline of a major contractor with the agility and accessibility of a much smaller organisation.\n\nThis is not a business where decisions disappear into layers of management. You'll have direct access to senior leadership, genuine influence over project strategy, and the ability to make things happen without navigating unnecessary bureaucracy.\n\nAs the Data Centre division continues its expansion, you will play a key leadership role overseeing planning teams across multiple live and pre-construction schemes, helping shape project delivery from bid stage through to completion.\n\nThe Role\n\nReporting into the divisional leadership team, you will:\n\nLead planning strategy across a portfolio of major data centre projects.\nManage and mentor project planners and planning teams.\nDrive programme development, optimisation and reporting.\nProvide strategic planning support during pre-construction and tender stages.\nChallenge project teams to identify risks, opportunities and efficiencies.\nWork closely with operational, commercial and design teams to ensure successful project outcomes.\nPresent programme information to senior stakeholders and clients.\nEstablish planning best practice across the division.About You\n\nA proven track record delivering major construction projects.\nExperience working for a principal contractor environment.\nStrong leadership and team management capabilities.\nExpertise in Primavera P6 and programme management.\nThe ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.\nData centre, mission critical, life sciences, advanced manufacturing or similarly complex project experience would be advantageous.Why Join?\n\nThis opportunity offers more than just project scale. You'll be joining a business that actively invests in its people and promotes from within.

Career progression is based on capability and ambition rather than hierarchy, providing clear pathways into senior operational and divisional leadership positions.\n\nThe organisation has successfully maintained an entrepreneurial culture despite significant growth, creating an environment where individuals can genuinely influence outcomes, develop their careers and be recognised for their contribution.\n\nFor Senior Planners looking to move into a business with genuine growth, financial stability and an exciting pipeline of major projects, apply now or feel free to message me via LinkedIn/Email (url removed) for a confidential chat