Planner

Opals Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy infrastructure firm in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Planner to support major UK energy infrastructure projects. This role involves developing integrated programmes, managing energisation milestones, and planning around technical constraints. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in construction planning, proficiency in Primavera P6, and excellent stakeholder interface skills. Join a team that shapes energy infrastructure delivery and apply now.

Qualifications

• Proven background in construction or infrastructure planning, ideally within the energy sector.
• Demonstrable delivery of complex HV, grid connection, ICP, or energy infrastructure programmes.
• Solid grasp of critical path analysis, programme logic, and delay mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage integrated programmes for HV projects across design, procurement, construction, testing, and energisation.
• Own and protect energisation milestones, actively managing critical paths.
• Plan around evolving technical constraints including grid acceptance requirements.
• Produce risk-based programmes, mitigation strategies, and recovery schedules.
• Integrate long-lead HV equipment procurement into delivery logic.
• Plan complex HV cable route works, incorporating ground conditions.
• Deliver clear programme updates and narratives.

Skills

Construction or infrastructure planning experience

Complex HV project delivery

Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6

Strong understanding of project lifecycles

Critical path analysis skills

Knowledge of NEC and/or FIDIC contracts

Tools

Primavera P6

Excel

Power BI

Job description

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Planner to support the development and delivery of major UK energy infrastructure projects. This role sits at the heart of programme delivery, working closely with Senior Planners, Project Managers, and Engineering teams to build, maintain, and optimise fully integrated project programmes.

Over the past nine months, the Planning function at OCU Energy has transformed from a small support unit into a true planning powerhouse — a growing team of high-calibre planners, strong operational managers, and a forward-thinking Director driving best-in-class delivery standards.

Due to continued success and new project awards, we are expanding again. These roles are not about headcount growth alone they are about ensuring every project receives the planning focus it deserves, keeping OCU clearly ahead of the competition.

If you want to join a fast-moving, ambitious environment where planning genuinely influences outcomes, this is your opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

Complex Programme Development

• Develop and manage integrated programmes for HV (33kV–132kV), ICP and BESS projects across design, procurement, construction, testing, and energisation.

Critical Path & Energisation Control

• Own and protect energisation milestones, actively managing critical paths and re-sequencing works to mitigate risk and delay.

Design Change & Technical Risk Integration

• Plan around evolving technical constraints including fault level compliance, harmonic studies, inverter tuning, and grid acceptance requirements.

Risk, Delay & Scenario Planning

• Produce risk-based programmes, mitigation strategies, recovery schedules, and what-if scenarios addressing client, ground condition, and supplier risks.

Long-Lead Procurement & Supplier Interface

• Integrate long-lead HV equipment procurement into delivery logic, managing supplier changes and manufacturing delays.

Construction & Cable Route Planning

• Plan complex HV cable route works, incorporating ground conditions, temporary works (e.g. sheet piling), and site-driven resequencing.

Stakeholder & DNO Interface

• Interface confidently with clients, designers, ICPs, OEMs, and DNOs, aligning programmes with approvals and acceptance milestones.

Programme Controls & Reporting

• Deliver clear programme updates, narratives, and dashboards to support commercial, contractual, and governance requirements.

Essential Experience

• Proven background in construction or infrastructure planning, ideally within the energy sector.
• Demonstrable delivery of complex HV, grid connection, ICP, or energy infrastructure programmes.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, with strong Excel capability.
• Strong understanding of project lifecycles from mobilisation through to energisation.
• Solid grasp of critical path analysis, programme logic, and delay mitigation.
• Working knowledge of NEC and/or FIDIC contracts.

Desirable Experience

• Substations, grid connections, ICP or BESS project exposure.
• Experience interfacing with DNOs, designers, OEMs, and clients.
• Familiarity with programme governance, earned value, and client-side reporting.
• Recovery programme and scenario planning experience.
• Power BI or similar reporting tools.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised with strong communication skills across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Detail-focused, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of planning outputs.
• Adaptable to evolving project demands and technical challenges.
• Effective working independently or within integrated delivery teams.

Take the next step with OCU Energy. Join a planning team that’s shaping how energy infrastructure is delivered — not just supporting it.

Apply now.