Lead Planner

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider is seeking a Lead Planner to join their Project Controls team in Warwick. The role involves developing project plans and managing programme management across various project phases. Candidates should have strong stakeholder engagement skills, advanced knowledge of project planning, and experience in major infrastructure projects. A competitive salary of £65,000 - £73,000 is offered along with additional benefits, and the role supports hybrid working.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus based on performance

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of project planning skills and earned value management.
• Demonstrable planning experience in construction or engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans.
• Lead all aspects of the planning process.
• Oversee contractual programme management activities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Change assessment

Knowledge of P6

Project management

Education

Membership of a professional organisation such as APM or CASA

Tools

Primavera Planning Software

Job description

About the role

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Lead Planner and find your superpower.

National Grid is hiring a Lead Planner to join the Project Controls team within the Construction Directorate.

The vision in NGV (National Grid Ventures) Interconnectors is we accelerate a clean, secure and affordable energy future through world class interconnection and offshore assets.

As a Lead Planner you will be responsible for leading planning activities across all phases of the project lifecycle ensuring robust programme management and strategic insight that supports successful project delivery

The role is a hybrid role so you can enjoy working from the office based in Warwick as well as working from home.

Please note you must have a full UK driving licence and be able to drive to be considered for the role as there will be occasional travel to sites required.

What you\'ll do

• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, ensuring alignment with key deliverables throughout all project phases.
• Lead all aspects of the planning process, including integrated programme development, critical path analysis, and contractor programme review and acceptance.
• Ensure programmes are accurately cost-loaded in accordance with procedures and Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), enabling effective earned value and unit cost reporting.
• Monitor and review monthly contractor programmes to ensure contractual compliance, providing schedule risk updates and identifying mitigation opportunities to stakeholders.
• Oversee contractual programme management activities, including programme acceptance and analysis of compensation events, offering clear recommendations to project teams
• Maintain integrated programmes to manage interfaces across multiple contractors and stakeholders, ensuring alignment and coordination.
• Provide accurate progress assessments against baseline plans, highlighting key issues and proposing actionable solutions to the senior leadership team
• Mentor and develop planning capabilities within the wider team.
• Collaborate with other Project Controls disciplines, including, cost, risk and change management, to ensure consistent and accurate programme inputs
• Lead planning contributions to interdisciplinary processes such as Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA)
• Communicate schedule management strategies, analytical findings, and mitigation actions clearly and effectively.
• Build strong internal relationships to resolve issues, promote knowledge sharing, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

What you\'ll need

Interpersonal, Supervisory or Management

• Experience collaborating with a wide group of stakeholders
• Effective communication skills with all levels of management
• Advanced knowledge of P6
• Skilled, demonstrable capability to assess change and its impact on programme.
• Experience working on major infrastructure projects and in high pressure environments.

Technical or Specialist

• An advanced knowledge of project and programme management, project controls and how these are applied within major infrastructure projects
• Advanced knowledge of project planning skills and earned value management
• Advanced user of primavera planning software
• Advanced knowledge of P6
• Proven stakeholder engagement skills
• Membership of a professional organisation such as APM, or Controls and Skills Authority (CASA)
• Demonstrable planning experience in construction or an engineering-based project environment through the tender, design and implementation phase

What you\'ll get

A competitive salary between £65,000 - £73,000 per annum - dependent on capability.

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.

#LI-HA1 #LI-HYBRID

About us

National Grid is pioneering ways to decarbonise the energy system; from building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbours in Europe, to investing in renewable energy generation in the United States.

As one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world, National Grid is at the centre of a clean, fair and affordable energy future, where tackling climate change and reaching net zero is a key priority.

More Information

This role closes on 7th November 2025 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.

At National Grid, 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.