Lead Project Controls Scheduler

National Grid plc; Northboro (IA); Hybrid; USD 147,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Lead Project Controls Scheduler in Northborough, MA, blending hybrid work with Major Projects PMO responsibilities. You will oversee schedule integrity for large capital projects, collaborating with directors, engineers, and contractors to maintain integrated schedules and provide visibility into performance.

The role requires expertise in Primavera P6, CPM, EVM, and risk analysis, with strong analytic and leadership skills to drive schedule health and timely decisions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in project controls, scheduling, or related field.
• Experience on large-scale capital projects (utility/infrastructure).
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 is required.
• Knowledge of CPM, float analysis, and schedule risk analysis.
• Experience with contracts/RFPs is a plus.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with EVM and related reporting standards is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Primavera P6 schedules across a portfolio of transmission, distribution, and substation projects; establish baselines and coding standards.
• Perform routine updates (weekly/biweekly/monthly), CPM calculations, and critical path, float, variance, and trend analyses; produce lookahead reports and milestone tracking.
• Track schedule performance with SPI/CPI and contribute to recovery plans when milestones are at risk; publish and present reports.
• Identify schedule risks, run what-if scenarios and propose mitigations; support change management and QA/QC checks.
• Lead/participate in weekly schedule review meetings with project teams, contractors, and stakeholders; communicate conflicts clearly.
• Collaborate with procurement and legal to embed Project Controls into RFPs and contracts; align scheduling with cost tracking and reporting.
• Review bidders’ proposals for adherence to Project Controls criteria and make recommendations.
• Serve as the Project Controls liaison during contract award and execution; elevate deviations for corrective action.

Skills

CPM analysis

EVM reporting

Leadership / meeting facilitation

Driver's license

Negotiation / influencing

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

National Grid is hiring a Lead Project Controls Scheduler for the Project Controls & Reporting team in Northborough, MA. This hybrid role supports the Major Projects PMO.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live.

The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Lead Scheduler to join our Major Capital Project Delivery team. In this role, you will play a critical part in ensuring the schedule integrity and performance of large-scale utility projects. You will work closely with project directors, project managers, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to develop, maintain, and monitor integrated project schedules, track progress against key milestones, assess schedule performance, identify risks, and provide visibility into overall schedule health and project performance.

The Team

The Major Project Controls team oversees a portfolio of 10–20 of our largest capital electric projects, with a combined Estimate at Completion (EAC) of $8–$10 billion, and is accountable for the development, management, analysis, and reporting of project schedules and costs.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain Primavera P6 schedules across a portfolio of transmission line, distribution line and substation projects using predefined templates (from initiation through closeout) aligned to scope, WBS, milestones, and regulatory/contract constraints; establish baseline and coding standards across the portfolio.
• Perform routine project updates (weekly/biweekly/monthly), run CPM calculations, and conduct critical path, float, variance, and trend analyses; produce lookahead reports, and milestone tracking.
• Track schedule performance with earned value metrics (SPI/CPI) and contribute to recovery plans when milestones are at risk; publish and present portfolio and project control reports for leadership and clients.
• Identify schedule risks, run what if scenarios and propose mitigations; support change management processes and schedule QA/QC checks.
• Lead/participate in weekly schedule review meetings with project teams, contractors, and stakeholders; communicate conflicts and recommend actions clearly and promptly.
• Collaborate with procurement and legal teams to embed Project Controls processes into Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and contracts, ensuring alignment of scheduling, cost tracking, and reporting requirements from the outset
• Review and assess bidders’ proposals for adherence to Project Controls criteria—such as WBS/CBS alignment, schedule baselines, and change management protocols—and make recommendations based on compliance.
• Serve as the Project Controls liaison during contract award and execution phases, verifying that awarded contractors implement agreed Project Controls processes (schedule updates, EVM metrics, delay logs) and elevate any deviations for corrective action.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of work experience in Project Controls, Project Management, Scheduling, or a comparable field with demonstrated experience supporting project execution and performance management
• Experience specifically with large-scale capital projects (utility, construction, or infrastructure) is highly valued.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 is required.
• Knowledge of Critical Path Method (CPM), float analysis, and schedule risk analysis.
• Demonstrated experience working with contracts/RFP’s a plus
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) and related reporting standards is a plus.
• Experienced in influencing, persuading, communicating, challenging, and negotiating.
• Ability to lead schedule review meetings and influence decisions.
• Valid driver's license is required with a safe driving history that meets National Grid's Safe Driver policy.

More Information

#LI-ES1

$147,000 - $172,000 a year

National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.