Senior Planning Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Planning Manager based in Dublin to oversee planning and scheduling for a portfolio of complex data centre projects across Ireland. In this pivotal role, you will guide programme strategy from preconstruction through to commissioning and handover, ensuring the successful delivery of technically demanding mission-critical facilities efficiently, safely, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules for multiple data centre projects simultaneously.
• Lead programme planning from feasibility and preconstruction to completion phases.
• Create detailed baseline schedules utilizing Primavera P6.
• Continuously monitor schedule performance, spotting risks, delays, and opportunities.
• Perform critical path analyses and propose strategies to mitigate delays.
• Collaborate closely with project directors, construction managers, commercial teams, and design consultants to maintain programme alignment.
• Manage and update short-, medium-, and long-term look-ahead schedules.
• Analyze productivity trends and resource allocations across projects.
• Facilitate programme review meetings with clients, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Produce detailed monthly progress and executive programme reports.
• Support planning activities during tender, logistics, and sequencing stages of bids.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives for planning processes within the organisation.
• Mentor and develop junior project planners within the team.

Project Lifecycle Specific Duties

Preconstruction

• Create bid programmes.
• Review procurement strategies.
• Advise on project sequencing.
• Support value engineering efforts.
• Identify key programme risks.

Construction

• Monitor real-time project schedules and manage timely updates.
• Coordinate contractor interfaces and lead recovery planning when necessary.
• Track earned value and project progress metrics.

Commissioning & Handover

• Integrate commissioning schedules into master programmes.
• Coordinate final system completion activities.
• Support phased handover preparation.
• Manage client milestone reporting.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• At least 8 years' experience in planning roles within large construction projects.
• Desirable experience in planning mission-critical or data centre construction projects.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 scheduling software.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project and Power BI is a plus.
• Solid understanding of NEC and/or FIDIC contract frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of construction methodologies, sequencing, and logistics.
• Experience managing programmes with budgets exceeding €100 million.
• Effective communication skills with senior stakeholders and project teams.
• Strong analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities.