Planner
About the role
Great Britain's electricity infrastructure is undergoing an ambitious, exciting and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, greener system, one that protects the planet and serves generations to come.
As a Planner, you will provide end-to-end planning expertise across the development, tendering and construction phases of our major high-voltage infrastructure projects which support achievement of our net zero ambitions.
Our work spans large-scale cable replacement programmes, substation upgrades and overhead line refurbishments across projects throughout Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside.
You’ll own the planning process, developing integrated, cost-loaded programmes, managing critical path and float, and applying earned value techniques to monitor progress, identify risk and support delivery to time and beyond allowance.
You will validate and challenge supplier programmes, ensuring compliance with contractual and National Grid requirements, and provide clear performance insight through variance analysis, site verification and regular reporting. Working closely with project teams, contractors and stakeholders, you’ll support informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and consistent, accurate portfolio performance reporting.
This role involves weekly travel to project sites and offices across Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside. Candidates should be based within the Northwest of England and willing to travel throughout the region as required. You will be able to work out of a project office either in Warrington or Leeds and can combine this with hybrid working from home.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop and manage integrated, cost-loaded project programmes, including critical path and float analysis.
- Own the planning process across project development, tendering and construction phases.
- Review and validate supplier and contractor programmes to ensure compliance with NEC contracts and National Grid requirements.
- Support tender evaluations by assessing programme quality, compliance and deliverability.
- Apply earned value techniques and planning controls to monitor performance, risks and project progress.
- Carry out programme impact assessments for changes, early warnings and compensation events, identifying mitigation opportunities.
- Assess and validate project progress during design and construction, including site visits where required.
- Produce clear programme reporting and performance insights for project and portfolio stakeholders.
- Maintain programme baselines and support regulatory, governance and portfolio reporting requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement by promoting best practice planning and project controls.
What you'll need
- Advanced knowledge and practical experience using Primavera P6 planning tool.
- Good understanding of NEC contracts, particularly Planning and Early Warning requirements.
- Experience creating and managing cost-loaded programmes, including earned value and performance reporting.
- Ability to assess programme changes, identify schedule risks and carry out impact analysis.
- Experience developing project programmes during the early stages of a project lifecycle.
- Experience reviewing tender programmes and assessing their compliance and deliverability.
- Knowledge of construction project delivery, ideally within civil engineering, utilities or infrastructure environments.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships across project teams, contractors and suppliers.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving, continuous improvement and delivering high-quality planning information.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the Northwest of England.
What's in it for you?
A competitive salary of £54,000 – £66,000 per annum, plus £3,000 market supplement
- Annual Performance Based Bonus
- Job requirement car
- 37 hour working week. Flexible
- 26 days annual leave, plus eight statutory days
- The option to buy additional or sell holiday days
- Generous contributory pension scheme - we will double-match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
- Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, exam fees and time off for study leave – so long as it is relevant to your role
- Access to several 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.
- Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days)
- Access to a numerous apps which support health, fitness and wellbeing.
More Information
This role closes at midnight on 8th September 2026 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 w/c 14th September 2026.
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We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.
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.