MERITUS are recruiting for a Senior Planner to work on exciting new projects within the Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical market. *PLEASE NOTE* You MUST have experience working on NEC projects and must be able to evidence your Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals experience in your CV.
We are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a leading Tier 1 construction contractor for an experienced and dynamic Senior Project Planner. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team at the forefront of delivering complex, high-value construction projects across the UK-particularly within high-tech and laboratory environments.
Lead the preparation of detailed construction (target) programmes, identifying improvements over baseline contract schedules.
Develop tender programmes and collaborate with the supply chain to validate construction logic, sequencing, and resources.
Produce fully logic-linked programmes with defined Critical and Float paths-applying best practices for risk and time management.
Plan from first principles: develop your own logic, assess work quantum, calculate durations, and apply resource loading.
Create sequence sketches, logistics mark-ups, and planning workbooks to establish and communicate the foundation of each programme.
Support or lead the development of 4D programmes to visualise project phasing and optimise delivery.
Engage with subcontractors and suppliers to refine project durations, design inputs, lead-ins, and labour/plant requirements.
Identify and document programme-related risks across H&S, quality, commercial, and time domains.
Integrate hold points for inspections and quality sign-off milestones within the programme.
Proactively identify project opportunities and create conditions for commercial and operational benefit.
Ensure planning outputs comply with NEC or JCT contract requirements, including correct use of Time Risk Allowance (TRA) and Terminal Float.
Deliver planning files and schedules to the highest standards-meeting CIOB/DCMA quality benchmarks.
Experience working collaboratively with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal teams.
Strong understanding of construction law, particularly UK/EU contract frameworks and NEC/JCT contract conditions.
Background in managing and mentoring junior planning professionals.
Desirable: Experience in lab construction, clean rooms, or high-tech manufacturing facilities.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and communicate across all levels.
Proficient in Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6 planning tools.
Confident in presenting complex programme data, progress analysis, and reporting outputs.
