Project Management Planner

6‑Month Contract | Inside IR35 Location: Halewood (Onsite)

We are supporting our client with the hire of an experienced Project Management Planner to support a portfolio of non-production projects within a complex, fast‑paced engineering and manufacturing environment.

This is a senior assurance-focused PM role, providing structure, governance, and pace across multiple workstreams rather than hands-on technical delivery.

The Role

The Project Management Planner will play a key role in ensuring robust project governance, risk management, and assurance disciplines are applied consistently across all non‑production projects. Acting as a senior interface between central functions and plant teams, the role focuses on escalation management, gateway governance, and portfolio hygiene.

Key Responsibilities

Non‑Production PM Assurance

Ensure all non‑production projects are managed with appropriate project management discipline and governance. Facilitate escalation pathways between central engineering (GME) and plant teams to resolve issues and maintain momentum. Lead and coordinate gateway reviews across all non‑production projects. Own the agenda, preparation, and execution of non‑production Group & Domain review meetings. Actively triage risks and issues, ensuring hygiene, assurance, and governance standards are upheld. Maintain accountability for enforcing PM discipline across the non‑production portfolio.

General Senior PM Duties

Lead cross‑functional project teams across the full lifecycle, from initiation through to closure. Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, dependencies, and resource profiles. Proactively identify and mitigate risks, ensuring appropriate contingencies are in place. Communicate project status, risks, and dependencies clearly to senior stakeholders and leadership. Drive continuous improvement in project delivery processes, tools, and standards. Mentor junior project managers and contribute to the development of PM best practice. Build and maintain strong stakeholder engagement across multiple business functions.

What This Role Does Not Include

Oversight of vehicle programme projects. Responsibility for technical or engineering solution development. Direct accountability for hands‑on project delivery. Vendor or supplier management responsibilities.

Experience & Qualifications

Proven experience operating in a senior project management or assurance role, ideally within manufacturing, engineering, or operational environments. Strong understanding of project governance, portfolio assurance, and risk management. Excellent facilitation, leadership, and stakeholder communication skills. Comfortable managing multiple complex projects concurrently. PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification preferred. Strong planning capability (P6 experience highly desirable)