Planner (Temp to Perm)
If you want to join a fast-moving, ambitious environment where planning genuinely influences outcomes, this is your opportunity.
We usually respond within two weeks
Planner – OCU Connect (HV / Energy Infrastructure)
Location: UK-based (Midlands preferred)
Working model: Permanent or Temp-to-Perm opportunity
Travel: Site visits as required
Projects: HV, ICP and BESS schemes across the UK
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.
- Division
- OCU Energy
- Locations
- Midlands
- Employment type
- Temporary
- Employment Status
- PAYE &/or CIS
Midlands
Our People, our Culture, our Values
As a business, we pride ourselves on operating a ‘People First’ culture, striving to constantly deliver on our 5 core company values.
1. We Care about Safety - It is our goal for everyone working on our behalf to go home healthy and safe at the end of each and every day.
2. We lead with Integrity - Integrity is central to everything we do. Without it, we wouldn’t have the relationships with our clients, nor would we have built an enviable reputation within the industry.
3. We strive to be Better everyday - We take pride in everything we do. This involves a meticulous approach to our work, endeavouring to make each day better than the last.
4. We make a Positive Impact - We want to make the places we work in better; leaving a lasting infrastructure and social legacy. We believe in proactivity to maximise impact.
5. We Deliver to Grow - The successful delivery of frameworks and contracts feeds our ability to grow strategically and strengthen OCU to expand the business and capabilities even further.
About OCU
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 customer-focused civil 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’.
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