Job Title:  Project Scheduler

Job Description

The Project Planner / Scheduler is a pivotal role within the PMO, with responsibility for the creation and maintenance of all development plans on space projects, using MS Project online. This requires substantial liaison with Project Managers, Functional Managers, and other stakeholders, as well as taking ownership for the methodical updates to all project schedules. Accurate progress reporting and detailed planning of future activities enables the efficient allocation of project resources and maintaining on-time delivery performance. Additional responsibilities for compiling and circulating project metrics and PMO Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This is a fantastic opportunity to join a progressive company, influence PMO best practices and drive improvements on overall business efficiencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsibility for planning and maintaining spacecraft development schedules for accurate status reporting.
• Full life-cycle development, from bid generation, design, analysis, manufacture, assembly, test, and successful on-time delivery, including ‘wash-up’ review and project closure.
• Responsible for close liaison with the Project Managers, Project Teams, Functional Managers and the Leadership Team to ensure accurate status reporting on all project plans.
• Responsible for Cost and Schedule Performance Reporting across multiple projects using standard KPIs.
• Accountable for recording and reporting level of effort variance for against planned work.
• Accountable for accurate sequencing of development activities, including pre-requisites and dependencies.
• Awareness of the contractual project requirements.
• Accountable for working within and upholding the company’s planning systems across all projects.
• Accountable for following project-management best practice philosophies centered on the APMP or PRINCE2 methodology.
• Supporting Project Gate Reviews with customers

Qualifications

• Solid technical understanding in engineering, research and development or science, (preferably a degree-level or post-graduate level qualification)
• Two to five years project planning experience.
• Project Management qualifications are desirable, such as APMP or Prince 2
• Valid UK driving licence

Knowledge and Experience

• In depth knowledge of project planning tools (preferably MS Project online).
• Knowledge of Project Full Development Lifecycles, including formal Gate Reviews. 
• Understanding of Work Breakdown Structures, Level of Effort, Cost & Schedule Variance, and Cost Account Management reporting.
• Experience of compiling and updating Gantt Charts, understanding Critical Path Analysis.
• Experience of Resource Allocation and Resource Capacity Planning.
• Experience of standard reporting metrics including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Experience of delivering high value and high-quality equipment.
• Appreciation of Risk Management in projects.
• Able to prioritise complex work within constrained timelines.
• Business minded and process driven.
• Pragmatic problem solver, solution orientated.
• Advocate of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with the ECSS is desirable.
• Strong skills with MS Office / Office 365 suite of programmes.

Skills / Competencies

• Ambitious and career minded. 
• Methodical with attention to detail.
• Commitment to high quality outputs.
• Excellent, multi-level communication skills.
• Team player but takes on real ownership of individual responsibilities.
• Self-motivated, ability to work independently.
• Target driven, focused on results.
• Able to understand demanding business needs.
• Good problem solving and analytical skills.