Project Planner Rail

We are currently looking for a Planner for our client to work on the Sizewell Railway line project.
This is a contract role to run until the end of the year but likely to be for 18 months.

Site Based, currently Rockford House, however when the site compound is established at Leiston Airfield, this will be the primary base.
There will also be some need to travel to Balfour Beatty offices at Canary Wharf, London.
Assume 4 days per week on site.

This role will provide leadership to ensure the effective delivery of one or more of the projects in the rail scope as part of the overarching Site Delivery Programme of SZC- Off Site Infrastructure (OSI), whilst recognising and managing the impacts of the programme on the wider Project. The Project Manager role is to develop and deliver the Implementation plan for safely delivering allocated project(s) in the rail scope to cost, schedule and quality within the agreed constraints.

Specifically for this role we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Rail Project Manager with expertise in programme scheduling and controls to lead and manage the planning, coordination, and delivery of complex rail infrastructure projects.

The Rail Projects comprise the following principal elements:
Upgrade of the Saxmundham to Leiston (SIZ) branch line and its junction with the East Suffolk (ESK) line
Construction of a new, temporary, railhead in the Ancillary Construction Area (ACA)
Construction of a new, temporary, single-track railway, from the SIZ branch line to the SZC construction site
Construction of a new, temporary, railhead in the Temporary Construction Area (TCA)
Upgrades to the East Suffolk (ESK) line, including level crossings, track and signalling (delivery by Network Rail)

The Project Manager will be responsible for the direction and leadership of activities associated with the full life cycle delivery of the project(s), including investigation, design, procurement, enabling activities, construction, commissioning, handover and close out, in line with Project Requirements. This post will ensure planning and delivery shall be in accordance with all safety, quality, time, and cost parameters to meet the needs of the Project.

The Project Manager will report directly to the Senior Project Manager (Rail) - Delivery

Principal Accountabilities
Programme Scheduling & Planning: Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Primavera P6, ensuring alignment with project milestones and stakeholder requirements.
Project Controls Management: Establish and implement effective project controls processes, including cost management, risk management, and change control, to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Integrated Planning: Develop and maintain integrated project plans that incorporate all work planned for the project, including maintenance and renewals, with appropriate milestones to track overall programme progress.
Clause 31 and Clause 32 programme review and recommendations for acceptance to the Project Manager. Integration of these into the integrated client programme.
Critical Path Analysis
Creation and communication of ‘What if’ programme assessments
Production and control of cost and resource loaded (where applicable) baseline and current schedule, utilising work breakdown structures
Adherence to scheduling and project control standards across the project
Overseeing and ensuring schedules are updated to an agreed timeframe
Support cost control, risk and change management teams where appropriate
Support the production of monthly reports through the provision of intelligent information and analysis
Producing analysis of trends, generating performance indicators and providing feedback on areas of risk and opportunities
Analysis and integration of schedules provided by contractors and suppliers
Establish and foster working relationships with all appropriate stakeholders pursuant to the discharging of your responsibilities or in aid of theirs
Risk & Resource Management: Identify potential risks and resource constraints, implementing mitigation strategies to keep projects on track.
Reporting & Documentation: Prepare and present regular project updates, including progress reports, financial summaries, and risk assessments, to senior management and stakeholders.
Identification and definition of key project interfaces
Lead on the development of detailed plans for the co-ordination and integration of all activities. Develop fully coordinated and integrated multi- disciplinary solutions which are deliverable within implementation plan requirements.
Maintain effective communications with all stakeholders and executing the project or PEP strategies within their contract or package of work
Act as project representative in external stakeholder working groups.
Ensure level 3 schedules are developed and maintained for the contract or package of work. Ensure such schedules are consistent with overall Project schedules (levels 1 and level 2). Escalate any discrepancies to the Project Controls Director, in consultation with the Senior Project Manager
Review - Contractor supplied Level 3 and 16 week rolling schedules
Apply the principles of Earned Value Management (EVM).
Apply the principles of Continuous Improvement.
Ensure that lessons-learnt and knowledge-capture are practiced as business as usual.
Interface with other projects and programmes to:
o manage any interfaces to the benefit of the overall project
o to develop an understanding of how allocated projects fit into and influence the overall project and
o to share best practice
Ensure that contract or package contractual requirements are fulfilled and assured. Participate in audits where required.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all project team members

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
Experience with the Network Rail suite of contracts and the GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) process.
Experience with NEC suite of contracts and contract administration tools such as CEMAR
Familiarity with linear scheduling methods, such as the Linear Scheduling Method (LSM), for managing repetitive activities in rail construction projects.
Strong leadership abilities with experience in managing cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
Track record of delivering multi-disciplinary rail projects within a technically complex and dynamic environment whilst ensuring high levels of safety, security, and environmental responsibility, ideally but not necessarily within the nuclear energy sector or similar regulated environment.
Demonstrate success in managing / developing:
o Engineering design, contract, and field execution strategies for project delivery,
o Multi-discipline EPCM projects,
o Procurement and management of complex contracts,
o Implementation solutions addressing environmental minimum requirements
o Control of costs risk schedule and change and proficient in the use of Earned Value tools,
o Close out of commercial claims and the associated negotiations under statute and other contractual arrangements

Working knowledge of key railway and Network Rail standards and procedures, such as: GRIP, Engineering Management for Projects, AMP, DWWP
Able to demonstrate strong management skills including project management, financial management, change management and facilitation. Proficient in the use of estimating scheduling, programming, and risk tools.
Experience of managing contractors, consultants, and other advisors throughout large and complex construction projects, in a regulated environment. Including NEC or FIDIC contracts.
Good presentation, influencing and facilitation skills. Excellent communication and organisational skills, able to develop relationships and maintain effective networks.
Strong numerical and analytical skills.
Able to work effectively with suite of Project data systems including: Outlook 365 Suite , Microsoft TEAMs, Document management systems incl. A Site and Teamcenter, BIM - federated models and Geographical information Systems (GIS)
Working knowledge of French language an advantage.
Degree and chartered status in an engineering, construction, or other related field.
Good knowledge of CDM Regulations.
Hold Personal Track Safety (PTS) qualification
Hold suitable CSCS certification
Can demonstrate experience of managing project through the project lifecycle from concept to handover
Understand how to apply a graded approach to quality
Please note, this role falls inside IR35.