At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning function for innovative power projects and shape strategic delivery.
- Company: Join JSM Group, a leader in infrastructure engineering with a focus on future-focused solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, performance bonuses, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to personal growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the utility sector while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Senior planning experience in power infrastructure and expertise in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
The predicted salary is between 58349 - 71315 £ per year.
ABOUT JSM
At JSM Group, we are a leading specialist infrastructure engineering company. We design and install the complex power networks, digital infrastructure and specialist systems a future-focused worldwide marketplace needs - from high-power grid connections to critical utilities, data centres to renewable energy. Our full turnkey solution teams manage the full scope to help advise and deliver complex infrastructure projects at speed, on time and with reduced legislation, technical and commercial risks.
ABOUT THE TEAM
You'll lead the planning function within our Power Division and a team of planners supporting tender and construction programmes across the UK. You'll work alongside divisional leadership, bid, commercial, design, delivery and SHEQ teams, from early tender strategy through to as-built close-out. Your time will be split between setting standards and governance for the function, advising on key bids and high-risk projects, and reporting programme performance across the Division's portfolio.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Planning Manager is the Power Division's senior planning authority. The role exists to make planning a strategic driver of bid success and predictable delivery, setting the direction, standards and governance that give clients, and our own leadership, confidence in every programme we commit to. Day to day, you will:
- Set and deliver the strategy, standards and governance for the planning function, including ownership of the Planning Manual and the Primavera P6 central database. You will also need to have an understanding of MSP.
- Provide portfolio-level oversight of tender and construction programmes, spotting risks and trends early and directing recovery and mitigation on critical projects.
- Shape planning strategy on key bids, making sure tender programmes and written submissions are credible, compelling and commercially sound.
- Report programme performance and insight to divisional leadership and clients, and act as the senior escalation point for planning matters.
- Lead, develop and grow the planning team through recruitment, training, peer review and succession planning.
- Support commercial teams on programme-related claims, compensation events and extension of time submissions.
ABOUT YOU
You'll do well here if you recognise yourself in this:
- You're hungry to grow and you take personal responsibility for your work and your development.
- You're comfortable with complexity and you'd rather solve a hard technical problem than avoid it.
- You work well across disciplines — you know good delivery depends on civil, power and digital teams pulling in the same direction.
- You use sound judgment under pressure and you're straight with people about risk and programme.
- You think beyond the next programme. You want to build a planning function that raises the standard across the whole business, and you enjoy developing the people in it.
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
- Senior planning experience in power or electrical infrastructure contracting, such as HV/EHV cable installation, grid connections, substations or the civils packages that support them, including leading a planning team or function.
- A track record of setting planning standards, governance or strategy across a portfolio of power projects.
- Experience planning programmes for DNO, IDNO, ICP or National Grid schemes, including outages, consents, wayleaves and third-party interfaces.
- Experience shaping tender programmes and contributing to winning bids for power infrastructure work.
- Expert use of Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
- Experience working with commercial teams on delay analysis, claims and EOT submissions.
Desirable:
- Experience in data centre, renewable energy (solar, wind, BESS) or transmission projects.
- Experience on major utility frameworks or long-term client programmes.
- Experience in Asta.
If you meet most but not all of the above, we'd still like to hear from you. We'll look at what you've delivered and what you're capable of, not just the list.
ENGINEERED TO BELONG
At JSM Group, we're not just shaping the future of utilities, we're raising the bar for what a great place to work looks like. Our values aren't words on a wall. They drive every decision we make and every project we take on, pushing us to go further, do better, and leave a real mark on the industry. We want people who are hungry to grow, ready to take on complex challenges, and excited to work alongside clients and partners who are changing the landscape of the utility sector across the UK, Europe and beyond. In return, we give you the room to develop fast, the work to stretch you, and the platform to build a career that actually means something.
WHAT WE OFFER
In addition to an industry competitive salary, we offer:
- Car allowance, where applicable.
- Performance-linked bonus, where applicable.
- Pension — up to 4% employer matched.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Health cash plan (BUPA) — cashback on dental, optical and physiotherapy.
- Healthcare plan (Benenden Health) — faster medical advice, private diagnostics and treatment alongside the NHS.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Electric car scheme — lease a fully maintained EV through salary sacrifice.
- Funded training and development through our Training Centre and Competency Cloud, professional membership and a clear route to chartership or higher authorisation.
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
JSM Group is an equal opportunities employer. We're building teams that reflect the communities and clients we work for, and we believe better engineering comes from bringing different experience into the same room. We're committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need an adjustment at any stage — to the application, the interview format or the assessment — tell us and we'll sort it. Every application is assessed on skills, experience and potential.
Planning Manager in Potters Bar employer: JSM Group
At JSM Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly within our Power Division where safety and quality are paramount. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous improvement and professional growth, offering employees the chance to engage in meaningful projects while ensuring compliance with industry standards. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we provide a supportive environment that values individual contributions and encourages career development across our sites in Cardiff and Somerset.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager in Potters Bar
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Planning Manager role you’re after at JSM Group.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at JSM Group.
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We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager in Potters Bar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Planning Manager, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at JSM Group a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to JSM Group specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at JSM Group
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with JSM Group, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like JSM Group want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
