Senior Planner – Galway

About Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby Group Engineering is a global multi-disciplinary engineering services contractor, recognized for delivering high-value solutions to distinguished clients. Operating primarily in Ireland, the UK, Europe, and South Africa, the company specializes in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, data centers, and power transmission and distribution. The company fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and performance, offering a supportive environment for growth and talent development.

Role Purpose

The Senior Project Planner will actively contribute to project management efforts by assisting in the planning, scheduling, and control of multidisciplinary, multi-sector projects. This role supports effective decision-making by communicating accurate, data-driven insights and escalating risks promptly to the Lead Planner and Planning & Risk Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional service to project managers, ensuring planning aspects meet project needs.
• Mentor and guide junior planners and peers as needed.
• Review contract documents to identify scheduling and tracking requirements.
• Develop construction schedules from high-level target schedules and work breakdown structures provided by project managers.
• Assist in negotiations with clients regarding schedules.
• Load labor and metrics into schedules using hours and quantities sourced from the commercial team.
• Create tracking tools and reporting templates for project monitoring.
• Design integrated construction schedules collaborating with main contractors and project managers.
• Monitor and validate weekly progress and efficiency with site and commercial teams regularly.
• Identify and report risks or obstacles affecting the project team and escalate to lead planners.

Project Execution

• Serve as primary planning contact for project managers to address planning-related issues.
• Develop schedules and histograms for bid support tasks.
• Verify contract compliance for scheduling and reporting throughout planning stages.
• Facilitate planning meetings as necessary.
• Validate and refine high-level target schedules considering released-for-construction project information.
• Optimize build schedules and maintain disagreement registers with main contractors.
• Complete high-level labor loading and produce S-Curves for schedules.
• Submit schedules for review and approval by lead planners.
• Formulate strategies to manage main contractor scheduling risks favorably.
• Coordinate negotiations with main contractors and circulate agreed minutes.
• Develop detailed schedules integrating contractor input.
• Ensure schedules are labor-loaded and financially aligned with commercial budgets; notify stakeholders of weeks with significant planned progress.
• Produce build methodologies and phasing drawings.
• Present updated schedules to construction teams for clarity.
• Aid in risk identification and mitigation across projects.

Project Control and Monitoring

• Communicate early warnings and progress feedback to project management based on reports and site conditions.
• Advise teams on improvements to enhance project performance.
• Oversee progress and efficiency for direct and subcontracted work, providing labor-hour forecasts alongside commercial teams.
• Lead weekly look-ahead meetings with site management as needed.
• Capture and report actual installation progress to support status reporting.
• Produce weekly efficiency reports on labor hours in collaboration with commercial personnel.
• Compile internal and external progress reports regularly.
• Manage and update schedules, including drop-line and look-ahead plans.
• Escalate identified risks to lead planners and risk managers promptly.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance internal service quality to other departments.
• Recommend and pilot process improvements where applicable.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Third-level qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a strong technically skilled trades background.
• Minimum five years of experience in project planning, with proven ability to develop, implement, monitor, and control project plans.
• Ability to produce project plans using design and commercial inputs and coordinate multiple project schedules.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, or equivalent scheduling software, along with Microsoft Office suite and strong report writing skills.
• Exceptional time management skills to manage a demanding workload efficiently.

Desired Personal Attributes

• Results-driven mindset with emphasis on delivering outcomes.
• Strong commercial awareness and customer relationship-building capability.
• Innovative thinker committed to process refinement and problem solving.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Resilient and positive attitude in challenging environments.
• Collaborative team player and supportive leader.

Additional Information

• This is a permanent role with access to a considerable portfolio of projects planned over the next five years.
• The company offers a competitive remuneration package with negotiation possibilities.
• Participation in Kirby’s Career Development Programmes provides opportunities for leadership growth.
• The position requires onsite work in Galway, Ireland.

Kirby Group Engineering is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace welcoming applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.