Planning Lead
North West | Full-time
Company Overview
A global professional services consultancy operating across infrastructure, energy and natural resources, delivering complex programmes at scale. With a strong track record in major capital delivery, the business continues to expand its presence in emerging sectors, including nuclear and Small Modular Reactors (SMR), where long-term investment and capability are front of mind.
The Opportunity
There’s a growing need for credible leadership in planning within the nuclear and wider energy space - particularly as SMR programmes move from concept into delivery reality. This role sits firmly in that space.
This is a leadership position within the planning function, responsible not just for programme delivery, but for shaping capability, developing client relationships, and contributing to the commercial success of the wider business.
Role Overview
As Planning Lead, you will take ownership of planning services across major, complex programmes within the SMR and nuclear sector. You will lead planning delivery across a portfolio of projects, supporting team development and playing a key role in maintaining and growing client relationships.
You’ll operate at both a strategic and delivery level - setting direction, assuring outputs, and maintaining strong client relationships, while ensuring planning excellence remains consistent across the portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of planning services across major programmes, ensuring alignment with client objectives and wider programme controls
- Manage, mentor and develop a team of planners, building capability in line with sector demand
- Oversee the development, management and assurance of integrated schedules (Level 1–3), ensuring consistency and quality
- Act as a senior interface with clients, providing trusted advice on programme strategy, risks and performance
- Drive planning best practice, governance and process improvement across commissions
- Contribute to business development activities, including bid support, client engagement and pipeline development
- Support fee forecasting and revenue generation within the planning discipline
- Work collaboratively within a broader project controls environment, ensuring integration across cost, risk and performance
What They’re Looking For
- Demonstrable experience leading planning teams on major, complex infrastructure or energy projects
- Strong background in nuclear, defence or similarly regulated environments
- Experience operating at a senior level within a consultancy, main contractor or client-side environment
- Track record of contributing to business development, winning work or supporting fee growth
- Advanced knowledge of Primavera P6 and planning methodologies within complex programmes
- Strong understanding of NEC contracts and programme governance
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate as a trusted advisor
- Degree qualified (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
Why This Role
The SMR space is still taking shape in the UK - which means this is an opportunity to be part of building something long-term, in a sector where planning capability will be critical to success.
For those already in nuclear, it offers a chance to step into a more strategic leadership position. For those in adjacent sectors (major infrastructure, defence, energy), it’s a credible route into one of the UK’s most talked-about programmes