Planners

Be part of something BIG. Join us and be part of one of the most significant strategic energy infrastructure developments in the UK. Strategic Infrastructure is developing and constructing a series of HVDC projects along the east coast of Great Britain. These projects play a vital part in achieving the UK Government’s ambition of connecting 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.

We’re looking for a Lead Planner and Planner roles to work on Sea Link, a proposed electricity transmission network reinforcement between Kent and Suffolk, via a new, primarily offshore two-gigawatt high voltage direct current (HVDC) link. You’ll be monitoring and evaluating contractor performance, proposing and developing mitigation and recovery strategies, reviewing compensation events and progressing National Grid owned activities, from development through to project completion.

As the Lead Planner within the PMO Team, the primary purpose is to provide overall support to the Project Controls Manager and lead a team of planners with the focus on ensuring that we have a set of robust end-to-end programmes, this will involve leading on the overall integration of contractor schedules. As a Planner within the PMO team, the primary purpose is to provide support to the Lead Planner and Project Controls Manager. You will develop and implement efficient end-to-end programmes including the integration of contractor schedules for the work packages you are responsible for.

All planning roles are there to ensure that the product is a robust project programme that will guide the Project / Delivery team to achieve successful outcomes, this would include utilising the appropriate tools and techniques e.g. Critical Path Analysis; Earned Value Management; Float Analysis and leading indicators for risk mitigation. As a planner you can enjoy our hybrid working; from home or if you prefer your nearest National Grid office. You must be willing to travel and sometimes stay overnight. During the construction phase, there will be a need to visit site to attend meetings and undertake assurance activities.

About You

What we do isn’t just important - it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• As a Lead Planner: Strong stakeholder and people leadership experience, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, lead teams in a matrix organisation, and manage high-pressure delivery environments. Advanced planning and programme management capability, with demonstrable experience delivering construction or engineering projects across tender, design and implementation phases, including high-value client-facing programmes, ideally in a high-voltage or similar engineering environment. Proven ability to develop end-to-end programmes from first principles, using Project Execution Plans, drawings and standard norms, and effectively managing key project interfaces. Expert programme controls knowledge, including baseline and progress evaluation, Earned Value Management, float management, forensic schedule analysis, change impact assessment and a solid understanding of QSRA. Strong professional and technical credentials, including proficiency in Primavera P6, experience with NEC/FIDIC contracts, and ideally numerate qualifications with membership of a recognised professional body such as APM. You have a driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK.
• As a Planner: Excellent communicator - open, honest and approachable, with the confidence to engage at all levels and handle challenging conversations professionally to get results. Strong planning expertise using mainstream tools such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project or Asta, with experience delivering programmes through construction and civils phases, ideally in a high-voltage or similar engineering environment. Experience with NEC/FIDIC contracts. Proven ability to develop programmes from first principles, producing client end-to-end schedules using Project Execution Plans, drawings, standard norms and effective interface management techniques (e.g. Give/Gets). Advanced programme controls capability, including baseline and progress assessment, including critical path and float analysis, contract compliance (planning clauses and Early Warnings), Earned Value Management, resource loading, cost loading and robust progress measurement. Analytical and risk-aware, with the ability to assess change, undertake time impact and forensic analysis, and a good understanding of the QSRA process. You have a driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK.

We are in such an exciting phase, with so much work ahead of us that we will want to train and develop you as quickly and thoroughly as possible. If you don’t already have qualifications like APM project management or NEBOSH, for example, we will pay for you to take them.

What You’ll Do

As a Lead Planner:

• Lead and implement efficient programme planning processes in line with company Planning & Scheduling standards, applying critical path and float analysis, Earned Value techniques and proactive risk indicators to support delivery on time and within allowances.
• Own and maintain integrated project programmes throughout development, delivery and close-out, including critical paths, National Grid project programmes and the review and acceptance of contractor schedules to ensure they are accurate, realistic and achievable.
• Manage programme-related contractual processes, including schedule acceptance and the assessment of compensation events, providing clear recommendations to the project team on appropriate actions.
• Develop, update and assure integrated programmes, managing complex interfaces across contractors and third parties, identifying risks and impacts early and supporting effective mitigation.
• Provide high-quality planning insight to the Project Manager and PMO, supporting month-end analysis, reporting, decision-making and corrective actions, while ensuring schedule maturity for Gate and assurance reviews.
• Coordinate and develop planning resources, working closely with risk, change and governance teams (including QSRA), and building capability within the wider project controls and delivery teams.
• Continuously reviewing and improving processes by raising innovative solutions to drive value and establish best practice planning and project controls.

As a Planner:

• Deliver robust programme planning in line with company standards, including critical path and float analysis, Earned Value Management and risk-based schedule indicators to support delivery within time and allowances.
• Work closely with project leads and multidisciplinary teams to develop and maintain integrated programmes from design through to completion, providing clear progress reporting and issue escalation.
• Support the Lead Planner, Project Manager and PMO with planning sessions, month-end analysis, and actionable recommendations to inform decision-making and corrective actions.
• Develop, maintain and assure programme schedules in P6, translating planning workshop outputs into high-quality draft and baseline programmes, and supporting Gate and assurance reviews.
• Review and assure contractor programmes for contractual compliance (e.g. NEC/FIDIC), managing interfaces, programme risks, Early Warnings and compensation events.
• Act as a key liaison between contractors, site teams and senior management, ensuring accurate, timely and commercially sensitive programme information is shared effectively.

What You’ll Get

A competitive starting salary, varying dependant on the level of role within the planning team; Lead Planner - From £61,000 - £75,000 - dependent on capability, Planner - From £54,000 - £65,000 - dependent on capability. Plus: Established market supplement of £3,000 per annum (paid monthly). Job requirement car. An annual performance bonus.

You will also receive: We have a reputation for promoting a healthy work/life balance. If you want to see more of your children, help care for relatives, or simply get to walk your dog in the evening, our flexible, hybrid working arrangements will support you. You’ll get 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays. You’ll also have the option to buy or sell holiday days, and benefits such as 26 weeks fully paid parental or adoption leave, and back-up care service are standard. Our double-matched pension contribution scheme means your pension could be worth up to 18% of your salary. There is the option to buy discounted National Grid shares. Financial support for study relevant to your role is available. Our My Discounts scheme offers discounts on everything from the weekly shop to your annual summer holidays. You’ll find savings on cinema tickets and at a range of high street retailers, including Sainsburys, John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Marks and Spencer.

About Us

National Grid Strategic Infrastructure has a key role to play in tackling climate change by accelerating our capacity to deliver clean electricity across the UK. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity grid in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon operation by 2025. And by 2035, we want to run 100% clean, green energy, all the time. Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people. Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future. Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

More Information

This role closes on Feb 22nd at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held March 4th onward. We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.