UK Atomic Energy Authority
Assistant Project Planner
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Assistant Project Planner
Assistant Project Planner – UKAEA (Central Operations)
About UKAEA
Fusion—the process powering the sun and stars—is one of the most promising avenues for generating cleaner, carbon-free energy to meet the world’s needs. UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is leading the charge in making fusion energy a reality, partnering with industry and research organisations to deliver innovative advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the next-generation power stations and the skilled workforce to make it happen.
About the Role
As an Assistant Project Planner, you’ll collaborate closely with Project Managers, Technical Leads, and key stakeholders to create, maintain, and monitor project plans that ensure the successful delivery of UKAEA’s programmes and projects. Your work will provide clarity on scope, milestones, dependencies, and resource needs, ensuring delivery timelines remain realistic, achievable, and aligned with business objectives. Working across multiple projects, you’ll play a crucial role in project planning, performance monitoring, and decision-making, helping teams mitigate risks, optimise schedules, and navigate the entire project lifecycle.
This role is ideal for candidates with a degree or equivalent experience in disciplines such as physical sciences, engineering, economics, business studies, or project management, combined with a strong understanding of project planning, controls (including earned value analysis), and analytical methodologies.
Responsibilities
Core Duties
- Develop and maintain project schedules, ensuring activities, milestones, and dependencies are clearly defined, consistently updated, and aligned with business goals.
- Work closely with Project Managers and technical teams to translate project scope into robust, actionable plans tailored to deliverables.
- Design Product Breakdown Structures (PBS), Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and project schedules.
- Monitor project progress, identify schedule risks, and report slippage, recommending corrective actions and mentoring junior planners where appropriate.
- Conduct critical path analysis, scenario planning, and schedule reviews to support effective project delivery.
- Forecast resource requirements and support levelling and scheduling activities to optimise efficiency.
- Produce project performance reports, dashboards, and KPIs for governance, project boards, and senior decision-makers.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across projects to manage dependencies and support integrated programme planning.
- Advise on project planning processes, controls, and best practices throughout the project lifecycle.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of project planning standards and participate in Project Management Office initiatives.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirements
Knowledge & Skills
- Experience working in a project environment as a Project Planner, Project Manager, Workstream Lead, or similar role.
- Strong understanding of project planning and project controls principles, including:
- Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
- Scheduling methodologies
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (advanced), Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality planning documentation.
- Experience with project planning software (e.g., Primavera, Microsoft Project) or the ability to quickly develop proficiency.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Commitment to continuously improving project planning standards.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Work Environment
- Partially onsite work: Expected 2–3 days per week at the UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire site.
Salary & Benefits
Salary: £43,702 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance), plus:
- Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
- Final salary defined benefits pension scheme (equivalent to 21.5% employer contribution)
- 25 days annual leave (plus 2.5 privilege days and 8 Bank Holidays)
- 3 days of site closure during Christmas break
- Flexible working options and family-friendly leave provisions
- Access to a comprehensive list of benefits, including professional development opportunities.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I)
UKAEA is committed to clean energy for all, and we welcome talent from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and aim for fair representation across our workforce.
We particularly encourage applications from groups underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made on merit based on the skills and experience outlined in this role.
Adjustments & Contact
If you have any questions or need adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process, such as changes to the way we interview or share information, please contact: [email protected].
As a Disability Confident Employer, UKAEA is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates.
More information available here.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills