Lead Planner

About The Role

The Strategic Infrastructure (SI) business unit has been set up to deliver 17 new major projects in the UK, as well as other strategic projects to help us deliver on our net zero ambitions and help the UK Government meet its target of 50GW of renewable energy by 2030.

The Lead Planner is a key role within the planning team, the primary purpose is to provide overall support to Regional Planning Manager and Lead a team of planners with the primary focus to ensure that we have a set of robust end to end programmes, this will involve leading on the integration of contractor schedules. Ensuring 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.

The Lead Planning Engineer would also have responsibility for overseeing several projects within a geographical region.

This role will support our Chesterfield project, with regular attendance at a project office expected 2-3 days per week.

As this role is Variable Based. You will be expected to travel to multiple operational and delivery sites and locations throughout your working week based on project demands. Operational or delivery roles requiring attendance at multiple sites within a region

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:

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6

• Must have the ability to produce programmes from first principles utilising Project Execution Plans; drawings; standard norms etc

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• Carried out client programme development for initial project phases.
• Previous experience of producing Client end to end programmes.
• Lead Progress Update meetings internally and external including contractor meetings
• Lead the “Programme Acceptance Discussions” which are part of the PMU process.
• Experience of managing key project interfaces through the use of Give \ Gets or other methods
• Evaluated baseline and monthly programme submissions for compliance to NEC clauses for Planning and Early Warnings.
• Expert knowledge of Earned Value Management, including Budget loading of programmes; robust methods for calculation of Percentage completion.
• Proficient in Resource loading of schedules.

• Must have used mainstream project planning tools, such as P6 ; Microsoft Project ; Asta
• Support the workforce planning activities to ensure resources are forecast and critical skills sets identified to deliver successful major projects.
• Have a solid understanding of the QSRA process

• Full UK driving licence

What You'll Do

• Implement efficient programme planning processes (in line with SI BP500 and the Planning & Scheduling SOP), including critical path and total float analysis, EVM techniques, and indicators for risk mitigation to ensure the successful delivery to time, and within allowances.

• Provide the Project Manager and PMO with planning information and recommendations during month end analysis that assist with key decision making and corrective actions.

• Support the project team with all planning sessions and display/share programme schedule information in a helpful format to support meeting audience and objectives.

• Capture and develop detail generated from planning workshops, set-up communications with discipline and partner leads in order to add to overall master programme and prepare programme for a pre-baseline review by project team. Translate workshops outputs into draft P6 programmes for team review and ownership

• Support the PD/PM to assess and check that contractor programmes are compliant to NEC and works information

• Check and review of programme interfaces, and updating of integrated programme, and highlighting of risks and impacts so that mitigations can be discussed in advance of final update

• Advise project team on any programme issues that need to be addressed

• Continually check schedule maturity in lie with SiMs minimum standards and prepare schedules required for major Gate decisions and pre-Gate assurance checks in collaboration with governance/assurance team. Follow-up and close any actions identified on schedule assurance checks.

• Fully participate in monthly Project Review Meetings (PRMs) and provide programme input and insights in a suitable format to help the meeting audience

• Carry out quality assurance checks, impacts of EWs, CEs from either Project Manager or Partner/Contractor

• Support the Planning Manager with month end reporting, including production of programme narratives and ensuring the Key milestones in the programme are accurate and can be reported against each month.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £61,000 - £73,000– dependent on capability.

This role also attracts £3,000 market supplement.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few

More Information

This role closes on 13th October 2026 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.

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.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

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About Us

The British Energy Security Strategy set out the Government's ambition to connect up to 50GW of offshore generation to the electricity network by 2030. Facilitating this ambition will require significant reinforcements to the onshore electricity transmission network. National Grid Strategic Infrastructure will make this happen.

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.