Senior Project Planner

About Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby Group Engineering is a renowned international company providing multi-disciplinary engineering services and is a preferred partner for numerous blue-chip clients. Operating in Ireland, the UK, Europe, and South Africa, the company specializes in growth sectors including pharmaceuticals, data centers, power transmission, and distribution. Emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and performance, Kirby is dedicated to nurturing talent and rewarding high performance.

Role Overview

The Senior Project Planner will actively contribute to managing multi-sector and multi-disciplined engineering projects. This role involves planning, scheduling, and monitoring project progress, providing data-driven insights to facilitate informed management decisions, and immediately flagging any risks to the Lead Planner and Planning & Risk Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional service to Project Managers by managing scheduling and planning activities.
• Mentor and guide junior planners and team members.
• Analyze contract documents to identify schedule and tracking obligations.
• Create construction schedules based on target timelines and work breakdown structures provided by Project Managers.
• Support client negotiations regarding scheduling matters.
• Allocate labour and metrics scheduling using data from the Commercial Team.
• Design and maintain trackers and reporting templates to monitor progress.
• Develop integrated construction schedules collaboratively with Main Contractors and Project Managers.
• Track weekly progress and efficiency with Site Teams and validate updates with Commercial Teams every 2–3 weeks.
• Continuously identify and report risks and roadblocks to project stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary planning contact for Project Managers and support bid scheduling needs.
• Coordinate planning process implementation following Kirby’s methodologies.
• Verify compliance with contractual scheduling and reporting requirements.
• Facilitate planning meetings as necessary.
• Validate and optimize high-level project schedules including maintaining a register for discrepancies with Main Contractors.
• Create labour-loaded schedules and S-curves aligned with budgets.
• Develop negotiation strategies to mitigate contractor schedule risks.
• Convene meetings with Main Contractor teams to finalize building schedules, maintaining clear records.
• Assist with developing comprehensive integrated schedules.
• Produce build methodology and phasing diagrams and communicate schedules to construction teams.
• Identify and support mitigation of project risks.
• Communicate early warnings and advise project teams to improve efficiency based on progress data.
• Monitor and report on labour man-hour usage to forecast completion estimates.
• Lead weekly "Look Ahead" meetings on-site, track installation progress, and produce progress reports.
• Manage schedule updates and escalate risks promptly to senior planning roles.
• Continuously seek improvements in service delivery and internal processes.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Third-level qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a strong trade background with relevant technical skills.
• At least 5 years of experience in project planning, monitoring, and control.
• Ability to generate project plans from design and commercial data and coordinate multiple schedules simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, P6, or equivalent scheduling software, along with excellent report writing and Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong time management capabilities to handle demanding schedules.

Desired Competencies

• Outcome-driven mindset with focus on achieving results.
• Commercial awareness to understand project and business impacts.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building capabilities.
• Creative thinking with continuous process improvement orientation.
• Attention to detail, resilience, positive attitude, and collaborative team spirit.

Additional Information

This is a permanent full-time position situated onsite in Dublin, Ireland. The role offers a competitive compensation package with flexible negotiation options. Candidates will benefit from Kirby’s career development programs aimed at enhancing leadership growth.

Kirby Group Engineering promotes equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.