Job Description

Principal Planner - Rail / Civil Engineering

Location: Warrington

Join Our Team as a Principal Planner

Are you an experienced planning professional passionate about shaping the future of rail and civil engineering projects? We're seeking a dynamic Principal Planner to manage and develop our regional planning team across the North West & Central regions. In this pivotal role, you'll support project delivery and framework teams by developing integrated, co-ordinated project programmes that drive efficient design and execution.

About the Role

As a Principal Planner, reporting to the Head of Planning & Controls, you will guide and mentor our regional planning team, overseeing day-to-day project planning, programming, and progress monitoring across multiple business units. Your expertise will ensure project programmes are optimised, risks are transparently managed, and delivery milestones are achieved.


Your responsibilities will include:

Providing high-quality planning outputs and advising stakeholders on impacts affecting works. Managing changes impacting the programme, offering mitigation strategies in collaboration with project teams and clients. Supporting procurement planning, including reviewing schedules and subcontract enquiry programmes. Ensuring project teams understand and adhere to programme requirements through regular reviews. Updating and analysing progress, producing comprehensive reports (including variances, SPI, CPI, and Earned Value analyses). Being an engaged, office-based member of the project team, with site visits and face-to-face meetings as needed. Monitoring site progress, presenting updates, and adjusting programmes accordingly. Maintaining look-ahead programmes and assessing implications for project delivery. Contributing to risk assessments and programme strategies. Maintaining accurate as-built programmes and providing insights into project performance. Advising on resource needs critical to project timelines. Mentoring junior team members and fostering talent development. Implementing best practices in line with regional standards. Managing and maintaining P6 cloud environments and project controls systems.

What We're Looking For

You're a seasoned planning professional with extensive experience in rail and civil engineering projects, ideally at a principal or senior level (minimum). You possess:

Proven expertise with P6 Primavera and project controls tools. A strong background in civil engineering and infrastructure, including rail projects. Experience in site-based roles, with a solid understanding of construction activities, timescales, and project requirements. The ability to communicate complex planning strategies clearly to diverse teams. Knowledge of schedule risk analysis and earned value management. A collaborative mindset with a passion for mentoring and developing others.

What We Offer

Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience Company car or car allowance 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with increases based on service) Company-contributory pension scheme Life insurance coverage Westfield Health Cash Plan & Rewards A supportive environment dedicated to personal and professional growth Ongoing learning and development opportunities A safe and inclusive workplace culture Platforms for your voice through employee forums

Join us and be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to delivering world-class infrastructure. Together, we can build a better future.


AmcoGiffen has a wealth of experience working on sensitive, live assets in highly regulated environments, we deliver exceptional peace of mind for our customers, creating and maintaining assets across a growing range of high-quality public and private sectors. These include rail, power generation, electricity distribution, flood defence, and waterways.


AmcoGiffen is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we offer challenging and worthwhile careers to everyone. It doesn't matter to us what your age, disability, employment status, gender, health, marital status, sexual preference, membership or non-membership of a trade union, nationality, race, religion or social class are, or indeed any other personal characteristics not directly related to the relevant job. Anyone who meets the requirements of the job is eligible for employment with AmcoGiffen.