P6 Project Planner - SDLC - NOT CONSTRUCTION - Inside IR35

P6 Project Planner - SDLC - NOT CONSTRUCTION - Inside IR35

Project Planner Overview

We are looking for an experienced Project Planner to support the successful delivery of complex software, systems and technology projects. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineering Managers and technical delivery teams, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining and monitoring integrated project plans throughout the full project life cycle.

This role is ideally suited to someone with experience planning software or systems development projects and working within Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) environments. You will provide planning expertise, challenge assumptions where appropriate, identify delivery risks and ensure project schedules accurately reflect progress, dependencies and resource availability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update detailed, resource loaded project plans using Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Engineering Managers, Product Owners and technical teams to produce realistic delivery schedules.
• Support the planning of software, systems integration and technology delivery projects throughout the full project life cycle.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and customers to ensure plans remain aligned with project objectives.
• Coordinate with resource managers to ensure effective allocation and utilisation of project resources.
• Assist in developing detailed project budgets aligned with delivery schedules.
• Monitor project progress against plan, highlighting schedule variance, critical path changes and emerging delivery risks.
• Produce regular project reporting for customers, programme leadership and senior management.
• Perform critical path analysis, schedule health checks and earned value reporting where appropriate.
• Assist with forecasting project completion dates, resource requirements and costs to complete.
• Ensure project schedules remain accurate, realistic and reflect agreed scope and delivery milestones.
• Work alongside Programme Managers and Project Managers to establish robust baseline schedules.
• Support project mobilisation activities during new project initiation.
• Contribute planning expertise during bid and proposal activities where required.
• Attend project reviews, governance meetings and planning workshops.
• Support the continuous improvement of planning standards, processes and reporting.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced planners where appropriate.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, quality standards and governance processes.

Skills & Experience Essential

• Previous experience in a Project Planning role supporting complex software, systems or technology programmes.
• Strong experience using Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
• Good understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies and how software projects progress from requirements through design, development, testing, deployment and support.
• Experience planning software engineering, systems integration or IT delivery projects.
• Strong understanding of project management principles and their impact on successful delivery.
• Experience creating and maintaining detailed project schedules throughout the full project life cycle.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary delivery teams including Project Managers, Software Engineers, Systems Engineers, Test Engineers and Business Analysts.
• Experience supporting complex technical projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of earned value management, schedule performance reporting and critical path analysis.
• Confidence to challenge delivery teams where plans, dependencies or resource allocations present risks.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and reporting tools.

Desirable

• Experience working within Agile, Waterfall or hybrid project delivery environments.
• Knowledge of risk analysis techniques and scheduling tools such as Monte Carlo analysis.
• Experience supporting large-scale digital transformation, software implementation or systems integration programmes.
• Familiarity with enterprise planning, ERP or project controls environments.

Qualifications Essential

• Degree in Project Management, Engineering, Computer Science, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable

• APM Project Management Qualification.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner.
• Planning or Project Controls certification.