Planning Manager in London

Balfour Beatty Power T&D is recruiting for a Planning Manager to oversee strategic planning and scheduling of multiple construction projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The role aims to optimise project timelines, resource allocation, and coordination efforts, fostering efficiency across the construction portfolio.

What You'll Be Doing

• Identify planning scope, major constraints, and contract requirements, and estimate major quantities affecting the programme.
• Lead the collaborative development and agreement on a logical sequence and methodology, ensuring the most efficient design, procurement, and construction strategy.
• Oversee the development of key deliverables such as programmes, planning philosophy, presentations, and reports; guide planners in formulating Tender Programmes aligned with organisational goals.
• Provide strategic guidance throughout the contract stage, managing the Contract Programme and driving the project's overall success.
• Assess and evaluate the project critical path, advising the team of results and corrective actions, while maintaining baselines and executing the change control process.
• Manage labour, equipment, and materials efficiently to meet objectives and minimise costs and delays.
• Manage contracts with subcontractors and suppliers, monitoring performance and resolving contract‐related issues.
• Aid the planning team in producing project data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress, identify deviations, and support data‐driven decisions.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to less experienced planners and personnel, fostering professional growth and competence.

Skills

• Analytical and problem solving
• Excellent understanding and management of data and processes
• Excellent communication skills
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Leadership and mentorship

Knowledge

• Proficiency in project management tools and software such as Excel, MS Project, Primavera P6 or ASTA.
• Extensive understanding of construction project management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Expertise in project scheduling and planning, including developing and managing complex project schedules with industry‐standard tools.
• Expertise in risk management in programme contexts (TRA, QSRA, etc.).
• Understanding of financial aspects related to project planning, including budgeting, cost estimation, earned value management, and analysis.

Experience

• Significant experience in successfully planning and managing a variety of construction projects, including large‐scale and complex works.
• Substantial experience in leading and managing planning resources for construction projects, demonstrating a track record of successful delivery.
• Previous experience in managing relationships with clients, subcontractors, and other stakeholders, demonstrating excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Why Work for Us

Join a team at the forefront of shaping the UK's energy infrastructure. At Balfour Beatty Power T&D, you'll work on industry‐leading projects that support the transition to a greener, more resilient power network, with opportunities to grow your career in a high‐performing and supportive environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and bonus opportunities
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Up to 7% employer pension contribution
• Professional fees paid and chartership pathways
• Smart working with up to 40% remote flexibility
• Life assurance, employee assistance programme, and family‐friendly policies
• Volunteering opportunities to make a real impact
• Access to industry‐leading training and qualifications

About Us

Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution (T&D) teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to deliver technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks. From scoping and feasibility through to design, construction and ongoing maintenance, we provide in‐house expertise, flexible resources and industry‐leading innovations to support customers in delivering some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we believe diversity and inclusion are essential to building a successful and fulfilling workplace. Through our Value Everyone diversity and inclusion strategy and action plan, we are growing a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, regardless of identity or background. We are proud members of WISE, ENEI, the Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). We are also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme and actively encourage applications from armed forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to removing barriers for people with disabilities. We guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability that meet the minimum requirements for the role.