Head of Planning

Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering engineering solutions.

Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms, and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.

We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.

We believe that being successful is a choice. We choose to be successful.

We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.

Throughout 2023, OCU Group has been experiencing a sustained period of growth and expansion.

Head of Planning

Role Overview

The Head of Planning is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing, developing, and overseeing the planning function within the organisation. This includes designing and implementing robust planning processes, setting up reporting mechanisms, and defining key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and effectively. The successful candidate will lead the planning team, provide strategic oversight, and collaborate with project stakeholders to drive consistent, high-quality project delivery across the business.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Establish and Develop the Planning Function
   • Design and implement a comprehensive planning framework and processes to support project delivery.
   • Develop standardised templates, tools, and procedures to ensure consistency across projects.
   • Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing planning team.
   • Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the planning function.
2. Reporting and KPIs
   • Set up robust reporting mechanisms to monitor project performance, resource allocation, and timelines.
   • Define, track, and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) for project planning and delivery.
   • Provide regular performance reports and dashboards to senior leadership and stakeholders.
   • Identify trends and areas for improvement based on KPI data and implement corrective actions.
3. Strategic Oversight and Leadership
   • Provide strategic leadership for planning activities across all projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
   • Collaborate with project managers and senior stakeholders to integrate planning into overall project governance.
   • Act as the subject matter expert on planning, advising on best practices and emerging trends.
4. Stakeholder Coordination
   • Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate planning and coordination.
   • Act as the point of contact for all scheduling-related queries and updates.
   • Maintain clear communication with subcontractors and suppliers regarding timelines and deliverables.
5. Planning and Scheduling Management
   • Oversee the development and maintenance of detailed project schedules and resource plans.
   • Ensure all project plans are aligned with contractual requirements and industry standards.
   • Monitor progress against project schedules, identifying and addressing potential delays or risks.
   • Support project teams in resource levelling, critical path analysis, and risk mitigation strategies.
6. Continuous Improvement
   • Evaluate and refine planning processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
   • Drive the adoption of advanced planning tools and technologies to improve accuracy and visibility.
   • Share lessons learned and best practices across the organisation to strengthen overall project delivery.
7. Stakeholder Engagement
   • Work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and consultants, to ensure alignment on project planning and delivery.
   • Represent the organisation in client and industry meetings, demonstrating expertise in planning and project controls.

Skills and Experience

Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., PMI-SP, APM, or equivalent) is highly desirable.

Experience:
• Extensive experience in project planning within the construction, infrastructure, or renewable energy sectors.
• Proven track record of establishing and developing planning functions in a medium to large organisation.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced planning tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent.

Skills:
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in creating reports, dashboards, and KPI analysis.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• High attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to establish a vision for the planning function and align it with organisational goals.
• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of project planning methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Collaboration: Skilled at fostering strong relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data-driven insights to identify opportunities for improvement.

What We Value

We value our commitment to each other, summed up in our five values, we all sign up to these… We care about safety. We lead with integrity. We strive to be better every day. We make a positive impact. We deliver to grow. We are one company united.
Our Aim & Vision at OCU To be the UK’s leading energy transition and utilities contractor.

We are committed to leading the way in utilities and energy transition contracting, our mission is to innovate and deliver sustainability. At OCU, our passion for addressing complex challenges brings new standards of growth in our people and capabilities.

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