Project Planner

ABOUT JSM

At JSM Group, we are a leading specialist infrastructure engineering company. We design and install the complex power networks, digital infrastructure and specialist systems a future-focused worldwide marketplace needs — from high-power grid connections to critical utilities, data centres to renewable energy.

From High-Power grid connections to Critical Utilities. Data Centres to Renewable Energy, our full turnkey solution teams manage the full scope to help advise and deliver complex infrastructure projects at speed, on time and with reduced legislation, technical and commercial risks.

ABOUT THE TEAM

You'll join the Planning Team within our Power Division, working closely with the Pre-Construction Civils Director, fellow planners and the Project Delivery Teams. The team supports both the tender and delivery phases of our projects, contributing to the continued growth and operational excellence of the business.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Planner, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining and monitoring programme solutions across a range of projects. Your role will include producing tender and delivery programmes, resource and cost allocations, and supporting project reporting and site-based planning activities. This is a hands-on planning position with direct involvement in the successful delivery of high-profile infrastructure projects within the Power Division.

Day to day, you will:

• Arrange and facilitate collaborative planning workshops with relevant stakeholders, and develop programmes that reflect agreed planning outputs
• Lead and facilitate project meetings with project teams, clients, subcontractors and other stakeholders, challenging programme assumptions and ensuring robust project schedules
• Develop, maintain and update accurate project programmes using appropriate planning methodologies and controls to support successful project delivery
• Manage multiple construction programmes, working closely with project teams to identify all activities, risks, opportunities and constraints
• Provide accurate and consistent progress updates, and proactively identify programme risks and opportunities
• Ensure a consistent approach to programme development, working closely with Bid and Project Managers to create and maintain detailed delivery plans
• Establish and manage programme review meetings at key project stages, providing stakeholders with clear progress and status updates
• Validate programmes to ensure accuracy, clear critical path identification and appropriate time risk allowances
• Undertake site visits, virtual reviews and office-based programme updates to monitor progress and produce accurate monthly reports
• Produce programme reporting outputs, including progress updates, critical path analysis, earned value performance reporting and recovery plans where required
• Support project teams in the development and implementation of programme mitigation and acceleration strategies to achieve key project milestones and completion dates
• Ensure compliance with contractual programme requirements, and provide planning support in accordance with NEC contract obligations where applicable
• Promote a positive team culture that supports collaboration, continuous improvement, wellbeing and high performance

This role requires attendance in the office or on site for a minimum of three days per week.

ABOUT YOU

You'll do well here if you recognise yourself in this:

• You're hungry to grow and you take personal responsibility for your work and your development.
• You're comfortable with complexity and you'd rather solve a hard technical problem than avoid it.
• You work well across disciplines — you know good delivery depends on civil, power and digital teams pulling in the same direction.
• You use sound judgment under pressure and you're straight with people about risk and programme.
• You work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, and you communicate clearly and engage effectively at all levels.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Proven and demonstrable experience of at least five years in project planning
• Previous planning and/or project delivery experience within civil engineering, utilities, highways, power or construction environments
• Experience working on utilities, power, transmission and distribution (T&D), ICP, DNO or other major infrastructure projects
• Strong understanding of project planning processes, techniques and disciplines
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project, including resource management and reporting functions
• Demonstrable experience in producing project plans that clearly identify deliverables, timescales, interfaces and dependencies
• Demonstrable experience in programme reporting, progress measurement, earned value management and performance analysis
• Strong understanding of programme risk management, mitigation planning and recovery programme development
• Proven experience leading collaborative planning sessions and challenging programme assumptions to ensure realistic and achievable delivery plans
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to identify, assess and manage multiple project risks while working proactively in a dynamic environment

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of Asta Powerproject
• Knowledge and practical experience of NEC contracts and programme management requirements under NEC forms of contract
• Experience working within regulated utility or power sector environments
• Understanding of earned value management techniques and performance measurement methodologies

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Desirable

• Professional qualification in a construction, engineering or project management discipline
• Full UK driving licence

If you meet most but not all of the above, we'd still like to hear from you. We'll look at what you've delivered and what you're capable of, not just the list.

ENGINEERED TO BELONG

At JSM Group, we're not just shaping the future of utilities, we're raising the bar for what a great place to work looks like.

Our values aren't words on a wall. They drive every decision we make and every project we take on, pushing us to go further, do better, and leave a real mark on the industry.

We want people who are hungry to grow, ready to take on complex challenges, and excited to work alongside clients and partners who are changing the landscape of the utility sector across the UK, Europe and beyond.

WHAT WE OFFER

In addition to an industry competitive salary, we offer:

• Car allowance, where applicable
• Performance-linked bonus, where applicable
• Pension — 4% employer matched
• 36 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Health cash plan (BUPA) — cashback on dental, optical and physiotherapy
• Healthcare plan (Benenden Health) — faster medical advice, private diagnostics and treatment alongside the NHS
• Employee assistance programme
• Electric car scheme — lease a fully maintained EV through salary sacrifice
• Funded training and development through our Training Centre and Competency Cloud, professional membership and a clear route to chartership or higher authorisation

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

JSM Group is an equal opportunities employer. We're building teams that reflect the communities and clients we work for, and we believe better engineering comes from bringing different experience into the same room.

We're committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need an adjustment at any stage — to the application, the interview format or the assessment — tell us and we'll sort it. Every application is assessed on skills, experience and potential.