Planning Manager

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. Delivering this ambition requires significant reinforcement of the onshore electricity transmission network — and National Grid Strategic Infrastructure is leading the way.

At National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, ensuring supply and demand are balanced every second of the day. From schools and hospitals to sporting arenas, we keep the lights on for millions across the UK. Through our investment in Strategic Infrastructure and the Great Grid Upgrade, we are enabling more home-grown energy, strengthening energy security, and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future.

We are recruiting for a Planning Manager to support the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) project, spanning Torness in East Lothian, Scotland and Hawthorn Pit in County Durham. This role offers hybrid working, and we’re happy to discuss flexible working arrangements to suit you.

Job Purpose

EGL1 is a two-gigawatt high voltage direct current (HVDC) connection — a multi-billion-pound project delivered through a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission.

As a Planning Manager, you will play a critical leadership role across the project lifecycle, leading a team of planning engineers to support successful programme delivery. You will drive best practice across planning, programme controls, and performance management, ensuring a consistent and integrated approach across the project. Working closely with PMO, commercial, delivery teams, and EPC contractors, you will oversee the development and use of programme data within Primavera P6, supporting key activities such as resource planning, Earned Value Management, QSRA risk analysis, and performance reporting.

This role requires a highly experienced planning professional with strong leadership capabilities and the ability to operate effectively within a complex, large-scale infrastructure environment.

What You'll Do

• Develop and implement effective planning strategies, processes, and standards across the project
• Lead and manage planning activities, ensuring programmes are robust, compliant, and aligned with governance requirements
• Manage and develop a team of planning engineers, including resource allocation, workload management, and capability development
• Drive collaboration across stakeholders, delivery teams, and EPC contractors to ensure an integrated planning approach
• Ensure the effective integration of planning data across multiple workstreams into a cohesive master programme
• Provide programme insights and recommendations based on schedule analysis to support timely decision-making
• Monitor contractor performance against planned work, including site-based assessments and reporting on variances
• Support continuous improvement across the PMO and planning function
• Ensure planning data is accurate, accessible, and supports performance reporting and project delivery
• Lead workshops, team meetings, and development initiatives to enhance planning practices and team capability
• Promote innovation and improvements in planning processes and tools

About You

We’re looking for an experienced planning leader who can drive performance, build strong teams, and operate effectively in a complex project environment.

You’ll ideally have:

• Proven experience leading planning teams on large-scale infrastructure or construction programmes
• Strong expertise in planning best practice and broader Project Controls, including Earned Value Management, cost control, risk, reporting, and change control
• Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6
• Experience managing and influencing a wide range of stakeholders at all levels
• A strong understanding of integrating planning data across multiple workstreams into a master programme
• Experience within the utilities or infrastructure sector
• Demonstrable experience working within integrated, collaborative teams on major projects
• A track record of supporting decision-making on complex, multi-stakeholder issues
• The ability to bring innovative and creative solutions that drive continuous improvement
• Awareness of FIDIC Silver Book contracts (desirable but not essential)

What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £65,000 - £75,000 – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, a bonus of up to 30% of your salary for stretch 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, a salary sacrifice technology scheme, support via the employee assistance line, and matched charity giving to name a few.

More Information

This role closes on 26th of June 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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