We are seeking an experienced Consultant Programme Planner to join our P3M practice. We are looking for someone who really understands how to plan complex, technology and business change programmes. You will be proficient in advising clients on how best to plan and structure programmes, dissecting them into tangible, more manageable delivery chunks.
Combined with technical planning knowledge and experience, you will also possess first rate stakeholder management skills. The ability to manage clients, extract requirements and desired outcomes and incorporate them into plans so projects are set up for success is critical. Experience of using a range of planning tools and software is also a benefit, though the role requires much more than driving a piece of software – it’s to bring strategic advice and value to clients at every stage of a project.
The role could lead you to working across a variety of sectors and clients in Defence, Technology, Aerospace and Security for private and public clients. Likewise you could be deployed as a client side advisor, as a member of an existing team or as an embedded client side resource. Experience in one or more of these sectors - alongside being flexible and adaptable to meet contract needs – will be an advantage.
Working from within our P3M Practice, you will be given significant responsibility for client-facing work from day one. You are expected to have regular interactions with clients and to support senior colleagues in delivering specific project outputs.
As part of the Atkins team, you will be expected to make a contribution to Practice and business development. This may include being part of a bid team as well as developing new business propositions for existing clients or researching potential new markets, however your main focus will be delivering outstanding services to clients.
This position is based in the South-East, however travel may be required to work from other Atkins offices or client locations around the UK.
Responsibilities
• Quickly understand and interpret client goals, vision and desired outcomes into deliverable planning concepts
• Advise on structure and content of programmes to maximise value, allowing project and programme teams to work more efficiently
• Develop and select the ‘best fit’ approach to planning a programme (e.g. selecting the right delivery method for each stage of a project – e.g. traditional/waterfall, Agile, hybrid etc)
• Strong change and stakeholder engagement skills within client, supply chain and Atkins organisations
• Balance client and Atkins processes, frameworks and standards to optimise delivery of services to client whilst protecting Atkins interests
• Analyse and incorporate risk information/mitigations and outputs from schedule risk analysis (SRA) into plans and schedules as appropriate
• Provide both advisory and delivery services
• In addition to creating/managing schedules (either by self or with a Scheduler), collect from variety of clients, Atkins and third party sources, inputs and updates to manage and maintain all aspects of Project plans, schedules and project controls requirements so there is a single-version-of-truth
• Advise and guide programme management team on any opportunities to optimise projects, programmes and/or schedules
• Advise the level of planning detail that is relevant to ensure effective programme and project control throughout the lifecycle of a programme
• Advise the Programme team and client on how best to manage cost within a programme schedule
• Provide insight into project data and metrics and communicate these effectively to stakeholders
• Help to maintain awareness of development in planning through reviews of technical publications coupled with continuous improvement activities. Keep up to date with the latest thinking from the agile community, and best practices in more traditional ‘waterfall’ project management, promoting best practice. Provide bid support where required.
• Ensure sound risk and issue management principles inform any planning activities.
• Line manage and develop both direct or matrix resources assigned to the planning team on a permanent or temporary basis, setting objectives and priorities.
Requirements
• Deep understanding of project planning and delivery methodologies (traditional/waterfall, Agile etc)
• Knowledge of schedule acceleration techniques, e.g. Fast Track, Crashing, Mainline-Offline Scheduling
• Ability to effectively manage cost within a schedule
• Knowledge of schedule risk analysis and ability to plan based on the SRA outputs
• Experience of using SRA tools such as Primavera Risk Analyser (PRA) or @Risk desirable
• Ability to plan and facilitate planning workshops involving stakeholders at all levels from senior management to operational
• Ability to “chunk up” and “chunk down” on level of detail (able to see the big picture and set an overarching strategy through to getting involved in the detail)
• Must be able to accurately define robust projects, programmes and schedules.
• Member of the APM and/or other professional qualifications such as P3O
• Familiarity with Primavera, Microsoft Project and other planning tools
• Enthusiasm, pride and determination in meeting targets and overcoming challenges and ability to work under own initiative
• Must have excellent people skills with the ability to break through social barriers to obtain relevant information necessary to plan accurately
• Develop broad technical competence and able to quality assure work of all those in the project team
• Experience of managing interfaces with engineering and technical disciplines
• Experience in preparing, interpreting and responding to project performance analysis data, such as Earned Value Management information.
• Must demonstrate a detailed understanding of Project Controls Techniques including, budget and spend management, change control, Earned Value Management, data analysis, trend analysis and Work Package Management.
Benefits
• Please refer to our website for full details of our benefits package, which includes the opportunity to purchase up to 15 days additional annual leave per year on top of our standard 25 days paid annual leave.
• Flexible working options may be considered for this vacancy.
Training
Atkins develops individuals through a tailored portfolio of training and development courses designed to help successful candidates make the best of their abilities and talents.
Security Requirements
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview.
Civilian Work Attachment
For members of the British Armed forces who are currently in their last two years of service, we are offering the opportunity to undertake a Civilian Work Attachment (CWA) within Atkins. You will have the chance to learn about the Atkins & Faithful + Gould businesses and our culture, as well as being assessed for your fit within our organisation and where your skills may be most beneficial.
You will also develop an understanding of potential career paths and speak to other Armed Forces leavers who have progressed in their time with Atkins. If you are a service leaver and looking for more information, please contact the Recruitment Advisor looking after this role.
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