Job Description

Would you like to work with a high-performing team that delivers meaningful and lasting change to it's clients? 

Our Major Programme Services (MPS) team is looking for exceptional Project Controls/Planning Specialists.    

As part of PA’s Delivery stream, PA’s Centre of Excellence for all project, programme, and portfolio capability, MPS works across Defence, major projects & infrastructure, transport, and public sector in client-facing roles on long-term assignments. Having experienced repeated successes in delivering value and excellence for our clients, most of whom are within daily commuting range from home, we are in high demand and are now expanding further across the UK. 

As a Project Controls/Planning Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in supporting our clients in controlling some of the UK’s most complex major programmes. Your expertise in project controls methodologies, tools and applications of best practice will be crucial in delivering successful outcomes for our clients.    

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative and innovative environment, shaping projects that drive meaningful impact.   

Location 

Hybrid working - our approach is to be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week. However, the actual time you spend and where you spend it will vary by role or assignment, including up to 5 days per week on a client site. Client locations include:  

• Bristol 
• Andover 
• Portsmouth 
• Cardiff 
• Swindon 
• Cheltenham 

You will have opportunity to: 

• Implement processes covering multiple project controls functions (e.g. scope, schedule, cost, risk, performance reporting).  
• Collect and analyse project data to assess performance against project goals and objectives.  
• Plan, build, maintain, and interrogate resource loaded schedules from first principles (including WBS, PBS, OBS, Basis of Estimates etc) through to Schedule Risk Analysis and management against monthly milestone reporting. 
• Identify and communicate scope changes, schedule slippages and potential impacts as well as supporting the identification of mitigating actions. Ensure trends of cost and schedule are identified, manage the change management process and communicate corrective actions.   
• Drive effective risk management through the identification, assessment, and mitigation of project risks, working collaboratively to ensure proactive and effective management. 
• Lead stakeholder engagement activities, facilitating collaboration and communication among all project participants.  
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members, fostering their professional growth and development. 
• Develop your own project controls expertise even further through a range of on-the-job learning, training and formal qualifications. 

Qualifications

About You 

• Experience in one or more project controls disciplines e.g., planning, scheduling, risk management, cost management, and earned value management.  
• Expertise in applying various project control methodologies and tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, Active Risk Manager, Schedule Risk Analysis), adapting them to diverse project contexts. 
• Certification in Project Management or Project Controls (PMQ, PRINCE2, Project Planning and Control etc.) is desirable. 
• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify and solve problems, make informed decisions, and manage project risks effectively.  
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to clients and stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.   
• Strong interpersonal skills, enabling successful collaboration with stakeholders across all levels. 

We know that potential skills-gaps and an expectation to ‘need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.  

Apply today by completing our online application