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About The Role
Balfour Beatty Rail are recruiting for a Senior Planner to lead the development and management of complex construction project schedules, ensuring optimal resource utilization and adherence to timelines. Aims to provide strategic planning oversight, mentorship to less experienced planners, and contribute to project success by implementing advanced scheduling techniques. The Senior Planner's scope encompasses high-level project planning and coordination, playing a key role in achieving efficient and successful construction outcomes.
What you'll be doing
- Ensuring that the programme content is functionally compliant with the planning procedures and guidance.
- Skilled in Identifying planning scope, major constraints, and contract requirements alongside identifying major quantities and factors affecting the programme.
- Utilize advanced expertise to collaboratively develop and decisively agree on a strategic and optimized sequence and methodology, ensuring the implementation of the most efficient design, procurement, and construction strategy for the successful delivery of the works.
- Apply advanced expertise to meticulously produce and document comprehensive planning deliverables, encompassing programs, planning philosophy, presentations, and reports.
- Demonstrate proficiency in developing the Tender Programme and supporting information, ensuring strict adherence to tender requirements with a focus on precision and strategic insight.
- At the contract stage, the Senior Planner takes on a heightened responsibility, utilizing advanced expertise to ensure the meticulous production, management, and maintenance of the Contract Programme.
- Adhering to planning procedures and collaborating closely with the Planning/Project Lead to optimize strategic planning elements.
- Displaying and evaluating the project critical path, advising the project team of the results and any appropriate corrective action alongside producing and maintaining project baselines, and execute the change control process as appropriate.
- Expertise in managing labour, equipment, and materials efficiently to meet project objectives while minimizing costs and delays.
- Manage contracts with subcontractors and suppliers, monitoring performance, and resolving contract-related issues.
- Aims to provide strategic planning oversight by leveraging advanced expertise in developing and implementing intricate scheduling techniques.
- Actively mentors and guides less experienced planners, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.
- Contributes significantly to project success through the application of strategic planning insights and the cultivation of talent within the planning team.
- Aid the planning team to produce project data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress, identify deviations, and make data-driven decisions for project improvement.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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.
Who we're looking for
- Advanced knowledge and expertise in project scheduling and planning, including the ability to develop and manage complex project schedules using industry-standard tools.
- Experience gained ideally from the Rail, Civil Engineering, or Construction industries.
- Advanced competence in project management tools and software like Excel, MS Project, Primavera P6, or ASTA.
- Comprehensive understanding of construction project management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
- Knowledge of various forms of tender and contract documents, and specifications (Ideally JCT or NEC contracts).
- Knowledge of Risk Management in project programmes: TRA, QSRA, etc.
- Experienced in the production and management of Construction Programmes in a variety of different and complex projects.
- Experience in leading planning efforts for construction projects, displaying a track record of successful project delivery.
- Previous experience in managing relationships with clients, subcontractors, and other stakeholders, demonstrating effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good understanding and management of data and processes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, & leadership skills.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting, and meaningful projects; developing, building, and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Why join us?
Benefits
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family-friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes, and much more…


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About Us
Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing, and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth.
From feasibility studies, planning, and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets. Our expertise covers electrification, track, power, civils, specialist rail plant, railway systems, and technologies.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion.
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture, we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum, and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long-term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com
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