Planning and Scheduling Specialist

Summary

Reporting Line: Planning Lead

Contract type: Permanent

Grade: 3B

Location: Wood Street, London

What to expect The Planning and Scheduling Specialist is a key role within the Transformation Portfolio Management Office team and reports to the Planning Lead. The Planning and Scheduling Specialist provides planning services to delivery teams within the transformation portfolio to ensure that robust and realistic delivery schedules are developed and ensures the consistent use of the transformation PMO planning standards across the transformation portfolio.

The Planning and Scheduling Specialist will work with the Planning Manager and Delivery Management Office (DMO) Team Leaders to assure also the plans for the delivery of the project objectives and programme outcomes

What we can do for you

Now, more than ever, we understand that attracting the right talent is pivotal in driving the positive change needed throughout our organisation. Beyond a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • 25 days annual leave that increases with tenure
  • Up to 10% on target bonus opportunity
  • Generous pension contribution
  • Life assurance
  • Income protection after 12 months service
  • Full support from our employee assistance programme and access to our employee benefits platform
  • Ever-evolving learning and development opportunities
Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. We actively foster an inclusive workplace that values the unique perspectives and contributions from all colleagues. We hold the belief that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are not just vital but fundamental to our success and growth.

Our priority lies in shaping a business that mirrors the diverse communities we reach, truly making Post Office 'Everybody's Business'. As an equal opportunity employer, we value and celebrate the differences among our people, ensuring that our practices reflect our dedication to inclusivity and equal representation for all.

What you’ll need to succeed

  • Proven experience in a planning or programme management role within a large programme or portfolio, ideally within a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
  • Technical proficiency in the use of planning software such as Primavera P6, Planview, MS Project, JIRA, ServiceNow or equivalent.
  • Solid understanding of programme lifecycle management, PMO functions and planning best practices.
  • Proven experience of developing and maintaining robust and realistic programme plans.
  • Experience of planning and delivery in both Waterfall and Agile environments.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-driven mindset.
  • Experience of performing Earned Value Analysis.
  • Experience of performing QSRA and QCRA.
  • Proven experience of collaborating with peers to contribute to the development and management of complex multi-party plans.
  • Substantial experience in building successful and cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
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Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...