Lead Project Planner – Hybrid (Manchester/Warrington/Derby)

About the role

Rolls‑Royce SMR is seeking a Lead Project Planner to join its Project Management Office. You will provide strategic planning leadership across complex engineering programmes, ensuring integrated schedules are realistic, aligned with business objectives and support executive decision‑making.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of planners, fostering best‑practice planning standards.
• Oversee creation, maintenance and governance of detailed integrated project schedules using Primavera P6.
• Conduct planning meetings and schedule reviews with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Produce dashboards, reports and forecasts highlighting milestones, performance and variances.
• Support resource planning and ensure consistent application of planning governance.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert for planning and project controls, driving continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Significant experience in planning or project controls within large, complex programmes.
• Proven track record of leading planning teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Strong stakeholder management across engineering, supply chain, procurement, programme management and manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge of integrated programme planning, master integrated plans and milestone management.

Required skills

• Primavera P6 (schedule development, WBS, coding structures, resource dictionaries)