Assistant Planner (Graduate)

About The Role

DIVISION: Interior Fit-Out

LOCATION: Northern Ireland

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent

BENEFITS: Car Allowance; Subsidised Private Medical Cover; Life Assurance Scheme; Living away from home allowance (where appropriate), Contributory Pension, 35 Days annual leave (Including Public Holidays)

Job Summary

At GRAHAM, we are committed to developing future talent. As our Interior Fit-Out Division continues to grow, we have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Planner to join our team in Northern Ireland. As a Graduate Planner, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience supporting the planning and delivery of fast-paced fit-out and refurbishment projects across a range of sectors. Working alongside experienced Planners, Project Managers, and site teams, you'll develop your understanding of how projects are programmed, coordinated, and successfully delivered from inception through to completion.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to build on your academic studies through practical project experience, structured development, and mentoring from experienced professionals. You'll develop technical, digital, and problem-solving skills while gaining exposure to industry-leading planning tools and construction methodologies. If you're passionate about construction, technology, and project delivery, this is an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career with GRAHAM.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Planning Team in analysing tender information and preparing tender programmes.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of project master programmes.
• Support the analysis of labour, plant, and resource requirements.
• Assist in the evaluation of construction methods, sequencing, and delivery strategies.
• Support the preparation of project preliminaries, procurement schedules, and information release schedules.
• Assist in monitoring project progress and the performance of subcontractor packages against programme milestones.
• Attend and contribute to client meetings and collaborative subcontractor planning workshops.
• Support the coordination, distribution, and communication of project programmes to key stakeholders.
• Maintain planning records, progress updates, and production control information.
• Work closely with project teams to identify risks, opportunities, and programme improvements.
• Contribute to the effective day-to-day operation of the Planning Department while developing planning knowledge and skills.

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged and the range of duties to be undertaken. It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals.

Requirements

Technical Competencies

Essential

• Degree qualified (or due to graduate) in Construction Management, Architectural Technology, Construction Engineering, Project Management, or a related built environment discipline.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Interest in developing a career within construction planning and project delivery.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Previous placement, internship, or work experience within the construction industry.
• Understanding of construction or interior fit-out projects.
• An appreciation of Health & Safety practices.
• Experience using planning or project management software, such as Microsoft Project, Asta Powerproject, or Primavera P6.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Behavioural Competencies

Essential

• Commercial Awareness: Show willingness to build a strong business acumen combined with the creativity and vision to meet customer needs and GRAHAM business requirements.
• Effective Communication skills: Able to adapt communication to audience and create detailed written documents and reports. Able to maintain and manage communication links with a variety of stakeholders. Presents a professional image and promotes the Brand.
• Customer Focus: Takes time to question and understand the real, underlying needs of the customer, beyond those initially expressed. Always works closely with customers, developing an independent view of their needs and acting in their long-term interest.
• Influencing: Identifies and builds relationships with those who will be useful now and in the future in achieving strategic business objectives.
• Initiative: Is able to work alone to get results in an effective way. Understands and seeks to minimise waste in resources and processes. Adopts and encourages others to adopt new ways of working. Ability to work unsupervised.
• Team Player: Always willing to be involved in other activities to achieve company objectives. Works collaboratively and uses influence to gain resolution of issues. Demonstrates honesty, loyalty, and commitment.
• Negotiation: Ability to negotiate with both subcontractors and representatives of the Employer to ensure all contractual rights and obligations are realised and protected.

About You

GRAHAM ROUTES TO BECOMING A PLANNER

We offer a two-year programme which focuses on developing your technical and interpersonal skills. In addition, a structured, mentored training programme, aligned to a recognised professional qualification, will set you on the pathway to chartership. Through early responsibility, you’ll learn quickly on challenging projects with the opportunity for fast track career advancement.

Our Commitment

At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time-restricted right to work in the UK should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance.

A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.

GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant’s experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or, if already in employment, potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.