At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead project planning and scheduling for complex marine defence projects.
- Company: Join GE Vernova, a leader in electrification and power conversion technologies.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national defence and energy transformation while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in project planning and knowledge of PMI methodologies required.
- Other info: Higher UK Security Clearance is necessary; British citizenship is a must.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Are you ready to help shape the future of energy and defence? At GE Vernova Power Conversion & Storage, we’re engineering a cleaner, more efficient world — and we need talented project professionals to make it happen. As a global leader in electrification and power conversion technologies, our systems power everything from naval fleets to industrial giants.
We’re expanding our Portfolio Management Office and seeking experienced Project Planners to support our Marine Defence programs. This is a high-impact opportunity to play a key role in the planning and execution of complex, critical customer projects that drive real-world outcomes in energy and defence.
In this role you will be responsible for:
- Project Planning & Scheduling
- Take full ownership of integrated project schedules across the entire lifecycle — from bid through to contract closeout.
- Develop, maintain, and monitor detailed schedules covering engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, site works, and commissioning.
- Drive alignment across project stakeholders, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure accurate timelines and milestone visibility.
- Create and manage baseline plans, perform schedule updates, and support contract change control processes.
- Customer And Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a key planning interface in customer and internal meetings, delivering clear and confident schedule presentations.
- Support the commercial team by reviewing contractual terms related to scheduling and progress reporting.
- Lead the preparation of schedule impact assessments for variation orders and internal change controls.
- Schedule Risk Management
- Identify risks and opportunities early, driving proactive mitigation strategies to protect project delivery timelines.
- Support Project Managers with “early warning” alerts and recovery plans that reduce cost and schedule exposure.
- Develop critical path and “what-if” analyses to test project resilience and optimize execution paths.
- Earned Value And Reporting
- Generate schedule-derived outputs such as Earned Value Analysis (EVA) to provide data-driven insights into project health.
- Monitor and report progress to internal and external stakeholders with transparency, clarity, and rigor.
Required Qualifications
- Proven background in project planning for complex engineering programs.
- Experience managing multiple projects concurrently in a high-paced, matrix environment.
- Understanding of PMI or similar project management methodologies, with knowledge of supply chain and manufacturing processes.
- Proficiency in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project, plus strong MS Excel capabilities (pivot tables, macros, data analysis).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a confident and professional approach to stakeholder engagement.
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
Important: Higher levels of UK Security Clearance, including “SC Clearance” and “UK Eyes Only Clearance”, are required for this role. The candidate must have existing clearance, or the ability to obtain clearance. This will require British citizenship with a valid British passport and no dual nationality.
What Will Make You Stand Out
- Experience in marine, defence, or complex industrial sectors.
- Demonstrated ability to build, baseline, and impact project schedules, perform critical path and cost loading analyses, and manage EOT and acceleration claims.
- Familiarity with concurrent delay analysis and robust understanding of schedule risk management.
- Experience mentoring or coaching cross-functional project teams and early-career colleagues in planning best practices.
You Can Expect From Us
- A role on mission-critical projects that contribute to national defence and energy transformation.
- A collaborative environment where your input shapes real project outcomes.
- A flexible working culture that respects your work-life balance and individual career goals.
- A competitive compensation package and benefits tailored to your needs, including:
- Employer pension contribution (regardless of individual contribution)
- Private Health Insurance
- Income Protection and Life Assurance
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Why Join GE Vernova – Power Conversion?
Be part of a company that’s solving global challenges through advanced technology and world-class execution. At GE Vernova, you won’t just plan projects — you’ll shape progress.
Project Planner – Marine Defence employer: GE Vernova's Grid Software
Contact Detail:
GE Vernova's Grid Software Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Planner – Marine Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific project management methodologies mentioned in the job description, such as PMI. Understanding these frameworks will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with their needs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in marine or defence sectors, as this will make you stand out. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully managed complex schedules and stakeholder engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your skills with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these tools during discussions can significantly boost your chances of landing the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've identified risks and implemented mitigation strategies in past projects. This will show your proactive approach to project planning and your ability to protect delivery timelines.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Planner – Marine Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project planning, especially in complex engineering programmes. Emphasise your proficiency in tools like Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project, as well as your understanding of PMI methodologies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the marine defence sector and how your skills align with the job requirements. Mention specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to manage schedules and stakeholder engagement.
Highlight Security Clearance: Since this role requires UK Security Clearance, make sure to mention your existing clearance status or your eligibility to obtain it. This is crucial for the employer to know upfront.
Showcase Communication Skills: Given the importance of stakeholder engagement in this role, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated project timelines and updates in previous positions. Strong verbal and written communication skills are key.
How to prepare for a job interview at GE Vernova's Grid Software
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Project Planner in Marine Defence. Familiarise yourself with project planning methodologies, especially PMI, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the job requirements.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. You might be asked to explain how you've used these tools in past projects, so have specific examples ready that highlight your technical capabilities.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Since this role involves significant interaction with stakeholders, think about your past experiences in stakeholder management. Prepare to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated project timelines and handled any conflicts or challenges.
✨Discuss Risk Management Strategies
Given the importance of schedule risk management in this role, be ready to talk about how you've identified risks in previous projects and the proactive strategies you implemented to mitigate them. Use specific examples to illustrate your approach.