Major Projects PMO Planning Lead

About the Role

In this leadership role you will drive strategic planning and scheduling across a portfolio of high‑profile projects. You will oversee a team of planners and collaborate with project managers, engineers, procurement and external stakeholders to optimise efficiency and value throughout the project lifecycle. Key responsibilities include providing strategic leadership for programme planning, maintaining an integrated portfolio‑level schedule, and ensuring robust governance and baseline control. You will prepare, maintain and analyse project schedules, manage critical path and what‑if scenarios, monitor progress, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to avoid schedule slippage. You will develop the portfolio Work Breakdown Structure, manage Primavera P6 governance (access rights, global codes, calendars, layouts) and lead a high‑performing planning team, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement. Familiarity with NEC contract planning clauses and regulatory reporting is required, and you will represent the PMO at executive boards, communicating schedule performance, risks and mitigations. All employees support 24/7 incident response to ensure customers receive reliable water services, and during the interview process you will be informed about any incident‑support rotas relevant to the role. • Lead strategic planning and scheduling for major projects using Primavera P6. • Create and maintain an integrated portfolio schedule with robust governance and baseline control. • Prepare, maintain and analyse project schedules, including critical path and what‑if scenarios. • Monitor progress, identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to prevent schedule slippage. • Develop and manage the portfolio Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). • Administer Primavera P6 governance – access rights, global codes, calendars, layouts. • Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing planning team. • Ensure compliance with NEC contract planning clauses and regulatory reporting requirements. • Represent the PMO at executive boards, presenting schedule performance, risks and mitigations.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸primavera p6
• ▸portfolio scheduling
• ▸critical path
• ▸risk mitigation
• ▸wbs development
• ▸executive reporting

What You Bring

The ideal candidate has proven experience leading PMO planning in large‑scale infrastructure or capital programmes, strong leadership skills, expert knowledge of Primavera P6 and planning governance, and excellent analytical, problem‑solving and communication abilities. A degree in civil engineering, construction management or a related field, and professional certifications such as PMI‑SP, AMP or PRINCE2 are desirable, as is experience with Earned Value Management and schedule assurance techniques such as the DCMA 14‑point assessment. • Proven experience leading PMO planning in large‑scale infrastructure or capital programmes. • Expert knowledge of Primavera P6 and planning governance processes. • Strong leadership, analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills. • Desirable: degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related field. • Desirable: professional certifications such as PMI‑SP, AMP or PRINCE2. • Desirable: experience with Earned Value Management and schedule assurance techniques (e.g., DCMA 14‑point assessment).

Requirements

• ▸pmo planning
• ▸primavera p6
• ▸leadership
• ▸civil engineering
• ▸pmi‑sp
• ▸earned value

Benefits

Southern Water is investing £7.8 bn in the 2025‑30 period to enhance resilience, sustainability and service excellence, offering a unique opportunity to influence a generational shift in water services. You will join a highly skilled leadership team during a time of significant change, with the ability to make meaningful impact and drive long‑term value creation. The company is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants of all backgrounds and offering reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Hybrid working is available and flexible working requests will be considered where possible. • Opportunity to influence strategic decisions and drive long‑term value in a £7.8 bn investment programme. • Hybrid working arrangement with consideration for flexible working requests.

Work Environment

Hybrid