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Planning Lead – Major Infrastructure Project (Simister Island M60/M62/M66 Interchange)
Location: North of Manchester Contract Type: Unspecified #LI-JK1
About the Role
Costain has been appointed Delivery Integration Partner by National Highways to deliver an ambitious £240m upgrade of the Simister Island Interchange (M60 Junction 18), rectifying a critical traffic bottlenecks on major routes north of Manchester.
As a Planning Lead, you will develop a strategic overview of the planning function for metre projects, working closely with national and project stakeholders across Costain’s major infrastructure programmes. Your role will ensure seamless resource allocation, risk mitigation, integration and assurance while maintaining alignment with National Highways’ business plans and performance commitments.
The Works (Scope of Project)
The project evolves a conplex motorway interchange, introducing:
- A new ‘northern loop’ free-flow link road between M60 eastbound and southbound, allowing motorists to remain on the motorway without exiting.
- Widening of M66 southbound lanes and realignment of its slip road to facilitate construction of the primary northern loop route.
- Dual-laning of the connector road linking M60 northbound to southbound (replacing current single-lane links).
- Additional lane addition (5 instead of 4) on M60 Junctions 17–18, while retaining hard shoulders for safety.
- Infrastructure upgrades, including:
- Improved drainage systems
- Enhanced lighting
- Upgraded signage, motorway technology and signalling
- Safe vehicle flow during construction through optimised traffic management schemes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Governance
- Serve as the planning leader for complex high-stakes programmes in Costain’s infrastructure portfolio.
- Align project planning with National Highways' strategic objectives and performance commitments.
- Ensure visibility of key programme metrics to stakeholders across Costain, NH, and relevant authorities.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies to manage programme integrity amid operational constraints.
- Guide and advise programme managers, inspectors, and delivery partners on planning innovations.
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Stakeholder & Partnership Coordination
- Facilitate collaboration with government agencies, high-speed rail representatives and regional local authorities.
- Coordinate with industry suppliers, planners, and contractors to keep projects on course.
- Establish a proactive relationship with National Highways’ regulatory representatives (e.g., Health & Safety Executives, Traffic Management Advisers).
Cross-Business & Oversight
- Infrastructure knowledge:
- Safeguarding safety during construction on live motorways, according to NH Standards and Regulations.
- Supports compliance with Traffic Management Orders and drafts impact assessments.
- Work closely with Costain’s ** Legal, Governance and Quality team**, ensuring delivery aligns with international TQMS framework.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Experience & Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in planning leadership within major infrastructure programmes (especially energy, transport, or rail).
- Practical hands-on involvement in road construction projects, including Motorway Interchange activities.
- Deep understanding of nationally significant projects regarding statutory procedures, Environmental Assessment and engagement processes.
- Professional or assocorte qualification in Construction Management, Planning or H&S.
Professional Maturity
- Proven ability to navigate and influence across high-level organisational stakeholders in challenging environments.
- Self-motivated thinker with a pro-active approach to risk and delivery efficiency.
- Delivery of transformative projects requiring collaborative multi-disciplinary endeavour.
About Costain
Costain is a leading pan-sector provider of infrastructure solutions. Our purpose-driven values:
"Costain helps improve lives through innovative, leading-edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the energy, water, transport and defence sectors."
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By shaping future-facing strategies, delivering historic infrastructure and boosting national resilience, we meet the strategic needs of our clients—from the decarbonisation of energy grids to expanding rails and motorways.
Specifically, this contract includes:
- Digital services (e.g., monitoring, route optimisation, automated signalling).
- Future-proofing infrastructure with smarter technology (e.g., autonomous transport), optimising asset lifecycle management.
Yet our operational excellence comes first: every project we undertake must prioritise safety, security, social license, and sustainability. We were successful because Costain has the expertise to cat burgers large and complex programmes underpinning national슈장 Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
Support Delivery of Exceptional Careers With Costain
Costain is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in our workplaces. As part of our approach to improving career opportunities, we actively work with Actively Look to Employ as well as providing educational outreach programmes.
Application Essentials
- We appreciate the time and effort of candidates in applying to our projects.
- Due to high application volumes, individual feedback cannot be provided pre-interview.
- An interview may still be offered if:
- You meet the essential criteria, and
- You descend yourself to be part of our Disability Confident scheme.
Disability Access
Commissioned by Disability Confident Employer
- More on our policies
- Note: In periods of high-volume recruitment, external interviews may be limited but guaranteed to everyone who has equal capacity and meets the role criteria—conciling parity for people with disabilities.
- Additional support (interview adjustments, etc.) can be requested any time before the interview.
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