Blue Fox
Lead Planner
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Lead Planner – MEP
Location: Staffordshire, UK
Salary: Up to ~£100,000 + Bonus + Benefits
Blue Fox Consult are partnering with a growing MEP contractor to appoint a Lead Planner as part of the development of a new business unit.
This is not simply another project planning position. You'll join at an early stage, initially taking ownership of planning and project controls before building and leading a team of 2–3 Planners over the next 6–12 months.
For someone who wants to step beyond a traditional Senior Planner role, this is an opportunity to build a planning function rather than inherit one.
The Role
As Lead Planner, you'll take responsibility for establishing and developing the planning capability within the new business unit, while remaining hands-on across major MEP projects.
Responsibilities will include:
- Taking ownership of planning and programme controls across the new business unit
- Developing and maintaining detailed programmes using Primavera P6
- Establishing planning processes, reporting standards and project controls
- Developing programmes across design, procurement, installation, commissioning and handover
- Working closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Engineering, Commercial and site teams
- Managing programme interfaces between mechanical, electrical and other construction packages
- Identifying critical paths, programme risks, constraints and potential delays
- Monitoring progress against baseline programmes
- Developing recovery and mitigation programmes where required
- Providing programme insight and challenge to senior leadership
- Supporting tender and pre-construction planning
- Recruiting and developing a team of 2–3 Planners within the first 6–12 months
- Mentoring the planning team and establishing consistent standards across projects
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About You
We're looking for an experienced planning professional who combines strong technical planning capability with the ambition to build and lead a team.
You will ideally have:
- Experience as a Senior Planner, Lead Planner or Planning Manager
- Strong experience working for an MEP contractor
- Excellent Primavera P6 capability
- Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical construction sequencing
- Experience planning projects from design and procurement through installation, commissioning and handover
- Strong knowledge of critical path analysis and programme controls
- The confidence to challenge project teams and senior stakeholders
- Good commercial awareness around programme change, delay and project risk
- Previous mentoring or team leadership experience
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Experience across data centres, major commercial developments, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing or other complex engineering projects would be particularly valuable.
The Opportunity
The attraction of this position is the scope to build something. You'll join a new business unit at an early stage, establish the planning function and then recruit and develop a team around you as the project portfolio grows.
The package includes:
- Salary up to £100,000
- Annual bonus
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Staffordshire-based position
- Opportunity to build and lead a team of 2–3 Planners
- Significant influence over planning processes and project controls
- Major, technically complex MEP projects
- Clear opportunity for progression as the business unit expands
If you're currently operating as a Senior Planner and ready to take ownership of a function, or you're already a Lead Planner looking for the opportunity to build a team from the ground up, this could be an excellent next step.
Interested? Apply now or contact Blue Fox Consult for a confidential discussion.
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