Assistant Planner

Job Description:

About the role

At Balfour Beatty, we're delivering vital infrastructure to support the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy - and our Bramford to Twinstead (BTNO) project, spanning Suffolk and Essex, is at the heart of strengthening the electricity network for generations to come.

We are looking for an Assistant Planner to join our team, playing a crucial role in supporting the development and maintenance of project schedules on this major energy scheme. You'll help drive project efficiency by coordinating activities, managing timelines, and supporting the planning function to ensure works are delivered in a structured and effective way.

Working alongside experienced professionals, you'll contribute to the successful delivery of a nationally significant project, ensuring robust planning processes are in place and executed smoothly - while building the foundations of a career in project planning within a leading infrastructure business.

What you'll be doing

Working within a planning team, you will:

* Ensure programme content is compliant with planning procedures and guidance.

* Tender stage: Support the development of logical sequencing and methodology, collaborating with the wider team to achieve the most efficient design, procurement, and construction strategy, under the guidance of the Lead Planner.

* Produce and document planning deliverables, including programmes, planning philosophy, presentations, and reports, as well as tender programmes and supporting information in line with tender requirements.

* Contract stage: Assist in the production, management, and maintenance of the contract programme in accordance with established planning procedures.

* Support the Lead Planner in implementing and maintaining project controls processes for scheduling, including the preparation of monthly reports through informed analysis and insight.

* Provide support to BIM Coordinators, as required, to meet project and tender deliverable requirements.

* Contribute to data analysis activities, supporting the development of project data and KPIs to track progress, identify deviations, and enable data-driven decision making.

Who we're looking for

Skills

* Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

* Good understanding of data management and process control

* Effective communication skills, both written and verbal

* Strong time management and organisational skills

Knowledge

* Familiarity with project management and planning tools (e.g. Excel, MS Project, Primavera P6, ASTA)

* Basic understanding of project planning principles, including scheduling and progress monitoring

* Awareness of tender and contract documentation, including specifications

* General understanding of project management methodologies

Experience

* Exposure to project planning through internships, coursework, or entry-level roles

* Practical experience using planning software (e.g. P6 or ASTA), even at a basic level

* Experience working within collaborative team environments

* Background in construction or other sectors with transferable skills relevant to project delivery

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?

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…

About us

With a strong track record of delivery, our civils teams connect communities through infrastructure projects in the highways, public realm, rail, flood and coastal defence, and industrial sectors across England and Wales.

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 <a class