Principal Planner

Planning lead on multidisciplinary projects. Responsible for delivering the planning aspects of major projects on time and on budget. Coordination of multi-disciplinary deliverables for submission to the client. Support the project manager in developing and delivering commercial elements of the planning activities. To mentor and train other members of staff. To support the Head of Operations. Planning with implementation of operating board key initiatives. The role will require attendance in LSTC offices, travel to Client offices for workshops and meetings, and site visits (as required).

Key Responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Project coordination to ensure achievement of all planning deliverables in a timely manner and on budget, in line with the agreed Project programme.
• Frequent coordination with the Project manager to review scope, programme and input into the CSR/application for payments.
• Step in as interim Project Manager as and when required for the Project, updating commercial documentation, CSR’s and attending necessary meetings.
• Coordinate internal design, technical, survey and planning teams to help deliver the activities driving Project programme.
• Prepare and input into commercial aspects of the Project for the planning activities, including reviews of client briefs or engineering proposals (PROP), Early Warning Notices (EWNs), Compensation Events (CENs), programme and CSR.
• Engage and manage sub-contractors as required, including obtaining quotes, issuing PO’s and monitoring costs and deliverables (including peer review).
• Ensure key documents and correspondence of Projects are logged either independently or through delegation to the Project team.
• Lead or input into Tenders for the Company, including development of documents, costs and programmes.
• Develop new client relationships and opportunities.
• Support internal business reporting and project performance metrics as required by the departmental lead.
• Review and approve procedures for the planning department and ensure all quality, environmental and safety documentation is prepared in accordance with company procedures.
• Support the development of company systems and software such as GIS and provide training and knowledge sharing where necessary.
• Undertake risk assessments and safety audits and sensible monitoring in line with relevant safety legislation, health and safety systems and procedures.
• Input into Health and Safety and CDM issues across Projects.

People Management, Staff Development, Systems Development:

• Lead, mentor and develop assigned direct reports, and frequently feedback to your line manager.
• Monitor and evaluate progress of others to build a high-performance team in collaboration with the departmental lead.
• Conduct appraisals and monthly 1-2-1’s for your direct reports.
• Feedback key and relevant information to your line manager as required.
• Input into training needs for your team.
• Mentor staff on your knowledge of NSIP/S.37 projects, the planning process, collaboration with other Project and LSTC disciplines, GIS softwares and other relevant planning and environmental related activities.
• Review and approve timesheets, overtime, expenses, mileage and leave for your direct reports.
• Deputise and/or lead weekly and monthly departmental meetings as required.

Planning & GIS:

• Allocate, instruct, monitor, manage, coordinate, review and approve work undertaken by the planning team under your direction and leadership for the Project, ensuring compliance with company and Project standards, legislation and quality procedures.
• Responsibility and ownership for the management and/or production of feasibility, planning and GIS related elements of various Projects concurrently, including managing staff and delegating tasks to ensure the achievement of all related deliverables in a timely manner.
• Provide pre-and-post application planning & environmental and engineering input or advice on locally and nationally significant infrastructure Projects across the UK and Ireland.
• Provide planning and environmental, spatial awareness and GIS expertise to the Company and its Clients, reviewing and development of Company systems and provision of related training as appropriate.
• Lead in the development of corridors, alignment and routes for the Project from initial needs case through to NSIP/S.37 submission.
• Lead Client meetings and workshops as required.
• Attending consultation events as required by the client.
• Support the examination process through attending hearings and acting as Expert Witnesses for the Client.
• Lead in the delivery and use of ESRI GIS softwares within LSTC, such as GIS Pro, Online, Field Apps etc.
• Understanding of wider planning Project topics and disciplines such as traffic and transport, drainage, hydrology, cultural heritage, environmental, ecological, arboricultural, construction, socio-economic, noise & EMF, third party utilities and legal in order to best advise the Client and incorporate detail, requirements and key considerations into the engineering and planning aspects of the Project for LSTC.

General:

• You may also have to work on other non-transmission related planning schemes.
• You may also have to work on other activities related to other LSTC departments.
• Carry out reasonable duties as directed by the department leads or Directors.
• Willing to work at other LSTC or Client Offices and / or attend site visits as required.
• Contribute within the Company to our Health and Safety culture.
• Deliver exceptional customer service to all customers.
• Input into LSTC’s training process and procedures as required.
• Build an outstanding working relationship with LSTC teams and Clients.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Educated to a Master level (desired) or Bachelor level (essential) in relevant subject such as Geography, Planning or Environmental Sciences (or similar).
• A plus: Member of, or working towards membership in a relevant Professional Institution.
• Minimum 7 years’ post-graduate experience in the infrastructure/development sector working on relevant transmission, distribution or other planning schemes.
• Minimum experience of: taking one NSIP scheme from Needs Case through to end of Examination, or experience on the various NSIP planning stages across multiple schemes; or taking multiple S.37/TCPA schemes from the development stages through to submission; or experience on planning applications with a strong legislative / policy background; or a combination of the above.
• A plus: professional chartership.
• A plus: NEC contract knowledge.
• A plus: Overhead line, underground cable, or substation experience.