Planner - Bids, Tenders and Pre-Construction

OCS UK & Ireland  is seeking an experienced Planner to support our Bids, Tenders and Pre-Construction activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional to develop an autonomous role and influence the future process and direction of planning and programming within OCS.

You will support both tender and operational delivery teams by producing fully logic-linked programmes, identifying and communicating programme risks, and ensuring planning information is clear, accessible and meaningful to all project stakeholders.

Working closely with our Pre-Construction and Bid teams during the tender stage, you will also support Operations Managers and Project Managers throughout project delivery. Your work will help our teams make confident, data-led decisions, keep projects on track and maximise opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Tender Stage

• Develop fully logic-linked design, procurement and construction tender programmes.
• Produce, or support the production of, programme narratives, logistics plans and method statements for tender submissions.
• Engage with project teams and supply-chain partners to test and refine programme assumptions.
• Influence construction methodology and the sequencing of works.
• Create or lead the production of logistics, sequencing and phasing plans.
• Identify programme risks and ensure they are clearly recorded within the project risk register.
• Communicate programme risks, assumptions, dependencies and opportunities to relevant stakeholders.
• Attend tender meetings, reviews and settlement meetings where required.
• Ensure tender programmes are realistic, achievable and aligned with the proposed delivery strategy.

Construction Stage

• Support operational teams and Project Managers with onsite planning, reporting and programme controls.
• Develop target, baseline and master programmes for small to medium-sized projects.
• Ensure programmes are fully logic-linked and aligned with agreed project baselines.
• Work with operational teams to ensure programmes accurately reflect agreed construction methods.
• Monitor progress, identify delays and support the development of recovery or mitigation plans.
• Provide periodic programme updates and rescheduling support.
• Where there is no dedicated site planner, train and support Project Managers to update and progress their programmes.
• Identify, record and communicate changes that could affect programme delivery.
• Provide clear and meaningful planning information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Maintain consistently high planning and programme-control standards.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• HNC, or equivalent qualification, in Building Studies, Construction Management or another relevant discipline.
• CSCS Construction Planner certification.
• Strong practical experience using either Primavera P6 or Asta Powerproject.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
• Demonstrable experience in construction planning, programme management and project controls.
• Experience producing and managing fully logic-linked construction programmes.
• Strong experience in programme review, cost and risk analysis, and progress reporting.
• Good understanding of the commercial factors that affect programme baselines and project delivery.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary construction projects.
• Ability to understand, identify and communicate programme risk and change.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working under NEC3 or NEC4 contracts.
• Experience producing or contributing to NEC activity schedules.
• Experience within the energy, infrastructure and/or building-services sectors.
• Experience supporting both pre-construction tender activity and live project delivery.
• Experience producing logistics plans, phasing plans and programme narratives.
• Previous experience training or supporting Project Managers with programme updates.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet demanding deadlines.
• Clear and confident communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex planning concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Organised, self-motivated and comfortable working autonomously.
• Collaborative and respectful approach to working with colleagues, clients and supply-chain partners.
• Confident in recognising, recording and communicating project change.
• Commitment to maintaining high planning standards and supporting continuous improvement.

Security Clearance

OCS is a key delivery partner to the UK Government. The successful candidate must therefore either already hold Security Check clearance or be willing and able to undergo and successfully obtain SC clearance as a condition of the role.

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

✅Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

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