Lead Possession Planner
Sector: Rail / Civil Engineering - Projects & Asset Maintenance
Location: Cumbernauld, Scotland
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Lead Possession Planner to play a key role in delivering a diverse portfolio of capital and asset management projects. In this role, you will take ownership of access planning, lead a dedicated team of planners, and ensure the safe and efficient coordination of all associated documentation.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic regional team working on high-profile infrastructure programmes across Scotland.
What We Offer
We believe in supporting our people to thrive both professionally and personally. In return, you can expect:
- Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
- Company car or car allowance
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (increasing with service)
- Option to purchase additional leave
- Company contributory pension scheme
- Life insurance and health cash plan
- Structured development programmes and leadership pathways including women in leadership programmes.
- A culture that encourages inclusion, wellbeing and collaboration
- Opportunities to grow your career with clear progression routes
- Employee forums to ensure every voice is heard
About the Business Unit
You will be joining a fast-paced and collaborative environment delivering multidisciplinary civil engineering projects for a broad range of clients, including Local Authorities, Network Rail, and environmental organisations.
Our work spans a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including:
- Rail infrastructure
- Highways and roads
- Bridges (under, over and footbridges)
- Tunnels
- Flood alleviation and repair works
- Earthworks and embankments
- Rail platforms and station infrastructure
The Role
As Lead Possession Planner, you will lead the Scotland Track Access Team (TAP) and play a central role in ensuring access planning supports project delivery safely and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Track Access Planning team
- Collaborate with project, construction, and estimating teams on all access planning matters
- Identify and optimise available possessions to support programme delivery
- Develop and manage master, contract, and detailed possession schedules
- Ensure possession, isolation, and protection requests are submitted in line with Network Rail standards and timescales
- Plan possession and protection arrangements
- Monitor, track, and communicate any changes to possession plans
- Prepare safety-critical documentation in accordance with railway standards
- Represent the organisation at possession meetings or arrange appropriate attendance
- Identify risks and opportunities, contributing to effective project management
- Support entitlement submissions where required
- Embed safety into all planning activities
- Maintain strong working relationships across planning teams and share best practice
- Submit road closure requests where necessary
About You
You will bring proven experience in possession or access planning within a rail environment, along with the confidence to lead a team and collaborate across disciplines.
Essential Requirements
- Experience as a Lead Possession Planner or Access Planner
- Proven team leadership or supervisory experience
- PPS access planning experience
- SSOW Planning qualification (Core Level 2)
- Valid PTS certification
- Competence as a Controller of Site Safety (COSS)
- Strong understanding of the Network Rail Rule Book
- Ability to interpret Sectional Appendices, Hazard Directory, and environmental documentation
- Full UK driving licence
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are looking for a leadership role where your expertise in access planning will make a real difference to major infrastructure delivery, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of rail infrastructure in Scotland.