Construction Planner (Building Construction) Gauteng (Head Office based in Sandton)

Construction Planner (Building Construction)

Location: Gauteng (Head Office based in Sandton)
Industry: Building Construction
Employment Type: Permanent
Reporting To: Contracts Director / Project Director

Job Purpose
An established building construction company based in Sandton is seeking an experienced Construction Planner to join its Gauteng operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, managing, monitoring, and reporting on detailed construction programmes across multiple building projects, ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, on time, and within budget.
The Planner will work closely with Project Managers, Contracts Managers, Site Agents, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers, and clients to develop realistic project schedules, identify risks, monitor progress, and recommend recovery strategies where required.Key Responsibilities
Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop detailed construction programmes from tender stage through to project completion.
• Prepare baseline programmes using Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
• Produce resource-loaded programmes where required.
• Develop critical path schedules and identify project milestones.
• Prepare procurement, design, and construction programmes.
• Ensure programmes align with contractual obligations and client requirements.
• Develop short-term, medium-term, and long-term project schedules.

Programme Monitoring

• Monitor project progress against approved baseline programmes.
• Update project schedules on a weekly basis.
• Measure actual progress against planned progress.
• Identify programme deviations and delays.
• Produce revised programmes where necessary.
• Recommend recovery plans to mitigate delays.

Project Controls

• Monitor critical path activities.
• Identify programme risks and constraints.
• Conduct delay analysis.
• Assist with Extension of Time (EOT) claims.
• Monitor float consumption.
• Track key project milestones.
• Maintain programme integrity throughout the project lifecycle.

Reporting

• Produce weekly and monthly progress reports.
• Prepare executive programme summaries for management.
• Present programme updates during project meetings.
• Generate look-ahead programmes (2-week, 4-week, and 6-week schedules).
• Prepare earned value and progress measurement reports where applicable.
• Produce dashboards illustrating project performance.

Coordination

• Liaise with Project Managers, Site Agents, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients.
• Coordinate procurement activities with construction programmes.
• Ensure design information is incorporated into project schedules.
• Assist site teams in planning upcoming work activities.
• Attend site progress meetings and planning sessions.

Risk Management

• Identify programme-related risks.
• Recommend mitigation strategies.
• Assist with recovery planning.
• Monitor resource constraints.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery.
• Analyse the impact of design changes and variations on project timelines.

Resource Planning

• Assist with labour planning.
• Plan equipment and plant requirements.
• Coordinate material delivery schedules.
• Ensure adequate resource allocation across projects.
• Monitor productivity trends.

Tender Planning

• Prepare tender programmes.
• Develop construction methodologies.
• Assist estimators during tender submissions.
• Prepare resource histograms.
• Develop preliminary project schedules for new tenders.

Minimum Requirements
Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Science, Project Management, or a related field.
• Primavera P6 Certification will be advantageous.
• Microsoft Project Certification is advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 5–8 years' planning experience within the building construction industry.
• Proven experience on commercial, residential, industrial, retail, healthcare, education, or mixed-use developments.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing and methodologies.
• Experience working for reputable building contractors is essential.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.
• Strong Microsoft Project experience.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies.
• Knowledge of NEC, JBCC, GCC, or FIDIC contracts is advantageous.
• Familiarity with project control principles.
• Excellent reporting and presentation skills.

Competencies

• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Commercial awareness.
• Results-driven and proactive.
• Strong negotiation and coordination skills.
• Ability to influence project teams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy of project programmes.
• On-time programme updates.
• Schedule adherence.
• Programme variance.
• Recovery planning effectiveness.
• Project milestone achievement.
• Reporting accuracy.
• Planning support provided to project teams.
• Client satisfaction.
• Successful delivery of projects within agreed timelines.

Preferred Experience
Candidates with planning experience on the following building projects will receive preference:

• Commercial office developments
• Shopping centres and retail developments
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Schools and educational institutions
• Hotels
• Residential developments
• Warehouses and distribution centres
• Industrial buildings
• High-rise developments
• Mixed-use developments

Salary
Market-related and dependent on qualifications and experience.
Benefits

• Provident Fund
• Medical Aid (where applicable)
• Annual Leave
• Company laptop and mobile phone (where applicable)
• Professional development opportunities

Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established building contractor delivering high-profile projects across Gauteng. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and on schedule while contributing to the continued growth and success of the business.

Work Location: In person