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.
SENIOR PLANNER - NEC PROJECTS - OXFORD - £90,000/£100,000 PER ANNUM (DOE) - LIFE SCIENCES & PHARMACEUTICALS
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.
Key Responsibilities:
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Lead the preparation of detailed construction (target) programmes, identifying improvements over baseline contract schedules.
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Develop tender programmes and collaborate with the supply chain to validate construction logic, sequencing, and resources.
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Produce fully logic-linked programmes with defined Critical and Float paths—applying best practices for risk and time management.
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Plan from first principles: develop your own logic, assess work quantum, calculate durations, and apply resource loading.
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Create sequence sketches, logistics mark-ups, and planning workbooks to establish and communicate the foundation of each programme.
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Support or lead the development of 4D programmes to visualise project phasing and optimise delivery.
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Engage with subcontractors and suppliers to refine project durations, design inputs, lead-ins, and labour/plant requirements.
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Identify and document programme-related risks across H&S, quality, commercial, and time domains.
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Integrate hold points for inspections and quality sign-off milestones within the programme.
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Proactively identify project opportunities and create conditions for commercial and operational benefit.
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Ensure planning outputs comply with NEC or JCT contract requirements, including correct use of Time Risk Allowance (TRA) and Terminal Float.
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Deliver planning files and schedules to the highest standards—meeting CIOB/DCMA quality benchmarks.
What You’ll Bring:
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Experience working collaboratively with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal teams.
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Strong understanding of construction law, particularly UK/EU contract frameworks and NEC/JCT contract conditions.
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Background in managing and mentoring junior planning professionals.
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Desirable: Experience in lab construction, clean rooms, or high-tech manufacturing facilities.
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Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and communicate across all levels.
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Proficient in Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6 planning tools.
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Confident in presenting complex programme data, progress analysis, and reporting outputs.
Qualifications & Training:
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Degree or Diploma in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
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Professional membership (CIOB, APM, etc.) desirable.
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Certification in Asta Powerproject (Advanced Progress Analysis, S-Curve Reporting).
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Advanced Primavera P6 training (Cost, Resource & People Management modules).
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Strong understanding of NEC and JCT contract programming requirements.
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Basic BIM training and working knowledge of Common Data Environments (CDEs) preferred.
