Programme Planner in Reading, Berkshire

New Job Opportunity - Programme Planner – 6 Month Contract – Based in Reading

Location: Reading, Berkshire
Contract: 6-Month Contract | Inside IR35
Hybrid: 1 day per week in the office, 4 days from home

The Role

Reporting to the Capital Delivery Programme Manager, the Programme Planner will be responsible for maintaining and managing programme schedules across major Water or Wastewater capital delivery programmes.

Working closely with PMO, Asset Management, and Integrated Business Planning teams, you will ensure programme schedules accurately reflect project delivery, funding, benefits realisation, and regulatory commitments. You will also provide planning expertise, governance support, reporting, and stakeholder engagement across the programme lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain programme schedules using Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and SAP.
• Ensure alignment between programme plans, budgets, forecasts, and business objectives.
• Monitor programme risks, opportunities, dependencies, and benefits.
• Support governance, reporting, and assurance activities across the PMO.
• Analyse programme performance and provide insights to senior stakeholders.
• Review cost profiles, forecasts, and Value of Work Done (VOWD) metrics.
• Collaborate with PMO, Asset Management, Delivery Teams, and Benefits teams.
• Provide planning support, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in programme planning or programme controls.
• Strong experience with:
  • Oracle Primavera P6
  • Microsoft Project
  • SAP
• Experience within complex capital delivery or infrastructure programmes.
• Strong understanding of programme governance, forecasting, reporting, and schedule management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Qualifications

Professional certification or membership such as:

• APM
• MSP Practitioner
• PRINCE2
• P3O
• PPSO
• ITIL

Desirable

• Utilities, Water, Wastewater, Infrastructure, or Engineering sector experience.
• Knowledge of AMP programmes and regulated environments.
• Previous PMO or Programme Controls experience.

Company information

At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates.  We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for a Programme Planner looking for new employment.

As part of putting people first, we strive to be an equal opportunities employer and we are always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce, working closely with our clients to ensure everyone is included.

Voceer presents this job opportunity for First Recruitment Group, a 50 person sized company who are categorized as a Recruitment Agency.

This position is being managed by First Recruitment Group, a reputable recruitment agency known for placing candidates in desirable positions.

All round workforce agency covering Recruitment, Payroll and Workforce Management. We are a global recruitment agency specialising in the Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Power, Water, Rail, Construction, Technology, Aerospace & Defence, Chemicals and Corporate sectors. Our specialist consultants help clients to recruit high quality candidates into temporary, contract and permanent roles at all levels. We proudly support a partnership culture by collaborating and adding value to build lasting client and candidate relationships.

#PeopleFirst