Senior Planner

Job Description Overview

Atkins

Réalis is a world‑leading design, engineering and project management organisation. We connect people, data and technology to transform infrastructure and energy systems across the globe. Our purpose is simple: to engineer a better future for our planet and its people, creating sustainable solutions that shape the world around us.

Our teams deliver some of the most complex and transformative programmes worldwide. By combining multidisciplinary expertise, global best practice and deep sector knowledge, we help clients achieve ambitious outcomes. Our success is powered by talented people whose diverse thinking and creativity drive innovation every day.

Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative and inclusive environment where you’re trusted with meaningful responsibility and supported to grow your career. You’ll have access to flexibility, development opportunities and the chance to make a real impact.

We’re proud to have recently been named Global Project Controls Consultancy of the Year at the Project Controls Expo in London — recognition of our industry‑leading capability and commitment to excellence.

We promote work–life balance through flexible and remote‑working policies. We champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and we are a Disability Confident employer. Our culture is built on respect, belonging and opportunities for all.

Our Planning Function plays a critical role in delivering certainty and performance across sectors including Rail, Highways, Utilities, Nuclear, Defence and Aviation.

As a Senior Planner, you will be instrumental in driving the successful delivery of complex projects and programmes. You will:

• Develop, manage and assure fully integrated project and programme schedules with robust logic, sequencing and critical path integrity.
• Lead planning input across bids, mobilisation and delivery phases, providing expert guidance on scheduling strategy and governance.
• Deliver high‑quality schedule analysis including critical path, scenario and “what‑if” modelling, with clear options and mitigation strategies.
• Integrate schedule, cost and risk information, supporting QSRA and wider project controls reporting.
• Maintain schedule baselines and govern change control, ensuring accuracy of scope, progress and impact representation.
• Produce high‑quality visual and written reporting, including progress updates, variance analysis and Earned Value insights.
• Communicate complex planning information clearly to senior leaders, clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, supporting collaborative and outcome‑focused delivery.
• Support consistency and best practice across the Planning Function, contributing to process improvement and capability development.
• Mentor and guide junior planners, supporting skill development and reviewing outputs.
• Apply understanding of different contract forms (NEC/JCT/FIDIC etc.) and their implications for planning, deliverables and reporting.
• Operate effectively within a consultancy environment, ensuring outputs align with client expectations and professional standards.

• Planning experience on complex or multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong proficiency with planning tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Open Plan, Asta Power project etc.
• Expertise in developing and assuring integrated project and programme schedules.
• Experience with schedule risk assessments, EVM reporting and integrated schedule–cost–risk analysis.
• Strong capability in baseline management, change control and maintaining schedule integrity.
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex planning insights clearly for senior stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior planners.
• Broad understanding of project controls disciplines and lifecycle governance.
• Good understanding of contract requirements (NEC, JCT, FIDIC etc.).
• Experience in a consultancy environment (advantageous).

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health,…