Planning Manager(Contract)

Employment type: Contract. Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. We are looking for an experienced Planning Manager to support a major M&A programme comprising 50+ projects . This role will be responsible for developing and maintaining an integrated programme plan, ensuring project milestones, dependencies, and critical delivery activities are aligned across the wider portfolio. Working closely with Project Managers and programme stakeholders, you will gather project schedules, identify interdependencies, and provide clear visibility of the programme's critical path. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain an integrated programme schedule across 50+ projects. Work with Project Managers to capture key milestones, stage gates, and deliverables. Consolidate individual project plans into an overall programme plan. Identify and manage project dependencies and critical path activities. Monitor progress and highlight schedule risks and potential impacts. Produce planning reports and updates for programme leadership. Support programme governance and forecasting activities. Requirements Proven experience as a Planning Manager, Programme Planner, or Senior Project Planner. Strong experience managing schedules within complex, multi-project environments. Advanced Microsoft Project skills. Strong understanding of project dependencies, critical path analysis, and programme planning. Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to challenge and influence Project Managers constructively. Understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile). Experience in project controls or PMO environments preferred. Benefits At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more…. At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.