About the job

The Planning Manager will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planning activities within our engineering and construction projects. This role requires a strong focus on critical path analysis, commercial acumen, progress reporting, and the development and management of baseline and construction programmes. The Planning Manager will lead a small team of planners to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Responsibilities:

• Perform detailed critical path analysis to identify key project milestones and potential delays.
• Develop strategies to mitigate risks and ensure timely project completion.
• Understand and manage the commercial aspects of projects, including budget control, cost forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Resource and workforce forecasting and planning.
• Collaborate with the commercial team to ensure alignment of planning activities with commercial objectives.
• Develop and maintain progress reporting systems to provide accurate and timely updates to stakeholders.
• Prepare and present regular progress reports, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and areas of concern.
• Develop and maintain baseline and construction programmes for projects, ensuring they are realistic, achievable, and aligned with project goals.
• Monitor and update programmes as necessary to reflect changes in project scope, schedule, and resources.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of planners, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Allocate resources effectively to ensure the team meets project requirements and deadlines.
• Liaise with project managers, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination.
• Resolve any planning-related issues that arise during project execution.
• Creation and presentation of management information.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience as a Planning Manager or in a similar role within the engineering and construction industry.
• Strong knowledge of critical path analysis, project scheduling, and programme management.
• Excellent commercial acumen and understanding of financial aspects of project management.
• Proficiency in project management software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Asta PowerProject or equivalent.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team.
• Knowledge of rail, renewables, and private network projects is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel as required

Company Information

Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering engineering solutions.

Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms, and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.

We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.

We believe that being successful is a choice. We choose to be successful.

We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.