Senior Project Planner - SC cleared, SAP

Position: Senior Project Planner - SC cleared, SAP (Contract)
Senior Project Planner - SC cleared, SAP
Senior Project Planner - SC cleared, SAP

The location of the role is Portsmouth.
The duration of the contract is 6 months.
The pay rate on offer is £500 - £650 per day (via Umbrella agency - inside IR35).

Role Summary

Your primary role will be to provide expert planning and scheduling support for the SAP Neptune programme, ensuring robust governance, accurate forecasting, and alignment with organisational standards. This role is critical to maintaining schedule integrity, managing dependencies, and supporting successful delivery across multiple work streams.

Key accountabilities of the role

Programme Planning & Scheduling
Develop and maintain integrated programme and project schedules using MS Project and other planning tools.
Ensure accurate forecasting for milestones, resources, and costs.
Manage dependencies across work streams and identify critical paths.
Governance & Compliance
Embed planning standards and processes in line with PMO governance.
Support Earned Value Management (EVM) and Demand Over Resource (DOR) reporting.
Provide timely and accurate progress reports to stakeholders.
Risk & Issue Management
Identify schedule risks and variances early, recommending corrective actions.
Support change control processes and maintain schedule integrity during scope changes.
Resource & Cost Management
Incorporate resource allocation and cost data into plans.
Assist in forecasting and managing budgets within programme constraints.
Collaboration & Mentoring
Work closely with Project Managers, PMO, and delivery teams to ensure planning consistency.
Provide training and guidance on planning tools and best practices.

Qualification and Experience

Experience supporting SAP implementation projects, including integration planning and schedule coordination across multiple work streams.
Minimum of two years' demonstrable Project planning experience
Microsoft Project Professional and Microsoft Project Server experience essential
PRINCE/APM or equivalent certification

Technical & Specialist Knowledge

Expert user of Microsoft Project Professional and Microsoft Project Server
Good understanding of Project Management process and developing Project Plans
Pronounced analytical and planning skills coupled with an independent, objective and process-orientated way of working
Excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable working in teams and confident in dealing with customers/users
Understanding of importance of commercial constraints
Strong diplomacy and negotiation skills
Self-motivated, able to plan and schedule own work within a limited time horizon
Solid written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work under time pressure
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Impeccable attention to detail, with excellent organisational and time management skills
Experience supporting and mentoring other staff, including Junior Project Managers and PMO Administrators
Experience in forecasting and managing project resources and budgets within project/programme plans