Principal Planner

Power Up Your Career – Join the Team Behind the Great Grid Upgrade 

Location: Birmingham (Project Hub) – with hybrid working and national travel 
Sector: Power / Major Infrastructure 
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time 

The Project – The Great Grid Upgrade 

The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. Our work with National Grid will help deliver clean, affordable energy to homes and businesses across the UK. 

Laing O'Rourke's project portfolio spans 10 major infrastructure projects – including enabling works for overhead lines, tower foundations, and new substations. These projects will connect renewable energy from offshore wind farms to solar power, strengthening energy security and supporting the UK's journey to net zero. 

As part of Laing O'Rourke's growing Power Sector, you'll play a key role in shaping this nationally significant programme of works. 

🔗 The Great Grid Upgrade 
🔗 Laing O'Rourke appointed as construction partner 

The Role 

We're looking for experienced Senior or Principal Planners to join our Power Sector team, supporting the 10-year Great Grid Upgrade framework. 

For the next 1–2 years, you'll be based at our Birmingham project hub, joining an established planning team supporting projects through ECI and PCSA pre-construction stages. We're flexible on where you live – but you'll need to travel to Birmingham around 3–4 days per week. 

As projects move into delivery (from 2027 onwards), you'll transition to a site-based role with hybrid working options. Initial delivery projects include schemes from Grimsby to Spalding (East Coast) and Chesterfield to Willington (East Midlands). 

What You'll Do 

As a key member of the project leadership team, you will: 

• 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.  

What We're Looking For 

You're a strategic and technically strong planner who thrives on complexity and collaboration. You'll bring: 

• Proven planning experience on major infrastructure projects (£300m+) – ideally in the power or energy sector. 

• Proficiency in Primavera P6 (ASTA and 4D modelling advantageous). 

• A 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. 

Why Laing O'Rourke? 

At Laing O'Rourke, planners aren't behind the scenes – they're at the heart of project leadership. 

Here's what sets us apart: 

• 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 our in-house specialists – from structures and MEP to plant hire and off-site manufacturing – applying real build logic rather than subcontractor dates. 

• Career growth: Our structured career toolkits and leadership support put your progression front and centre. 

About Us 

Laing O'Rourke is at the forefront of delivering transformative infrastructure. Joining us means being part of a team that is driving the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy future. You'll be empowered to lead, innovate and leave a lasting mark on projects of national significance. 

We offer a competitive remuneration package (base salary + car/travel allowance) with access to Private Medical Insurance; enhanced pension and parental leave schemes; Life/Dental/Critical illness insurance and income protection; 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays + 1 paid day for volunteering; professional development opportunities and more!         

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the ‘offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process.  

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email resourcingteam@laingorourke.com 

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