Principal Planner

Principal Planner – Laing O'Rourke

Join our Power Sector team in Birmingham (Project Hub) for the Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the UK's electricity grid.

Birmingham (Project Hub) – hybrid working and national travel.

Permanent, Full Time.

The Great Grid Upgrade is a 10‑year programme that will upgrade the national grid and connect renewable energy sources to the UK economy.

We are seeking an experienced Senior or Principal Planner to support the 10‑year Great Grid Upgrade framework. For the next 1–2 years you will be based at our Birmingham project hub, joining an established planning team through ECI and PCSA pre‑construction stages, travelling to Birmingham 3–4 days per week. As projects move into delivery (from 2027 onward) you will transition to a site‑based role with hybrid working options.

• Lead and coordinate planning and programme management from tender through delivery.
• Develop and maintain robust, logic‑linked construction programmes.
• Provide expert input on construction sequencing, methodology, and resourcing.
• Ensure compliance with contractual and project requirements.
• Implement and maintain Project Controls with accurate forecasting and reporting.
• Mentor and develop planning team members and drive process improvement.
• Foster collaboration across design, engineering, and delivery teams to achieve milestones.

• Proven planning experience on major infrastructure projects (£300m+) – ideally in the power or energy sector.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 (ASTA and 4D modelling advantageous).
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts and commercial awareness.
• A degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (CIOB, ICE) or working towards it.
• Experience across the full project lifecycle – from pre‑construction to delivery.
• The ability to lead, mentor, and influence across multidisciplinary teams.

At Laing O'Rourke, planners are at the heart of project leadership and influence strategy and delivery.

• Planning matters: your insight shapes strategy and drives delivery.
• A collaborative community: join a 130+ strong national planning team with shared standards, mentorship, and support.
• Integrated delivery: work directly with in‑house specialists applying real build logic.
• Career growth: structured career toolkits and leadership support.

Laing O'Rourke is at the forefront of delivering transformative infrastructure, driving the UK's low‑carbon transition.

Competitive remuneration (base salary + car/travel allowance);
Private Medical Insurance; enhanced pension and parental leave;
Life/Dental/Critical illness insurance; income protection; 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays + 1 paid day for volunteering; professional development opportunities.

We encourage candidates with long‑term conditions and disabilities to opt in to our interview scheme. If you require adjustments for the interview process, please contact us.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or have questions about the process, email re