Project Planner (Primavera P6 Essential) - Energy
About the Role
Designer Group is seeking an experienced Project Planner to support the successful delivery of energy infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will have proven experience developing and managing project schedules for substation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, or other utility-scale electrical infrastructure projects. Working closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers, Engineering teams and clients, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate project programmes, monitoring progress, identifying risks, and ensuring the successful delivery of critical project milestones.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate and manage all project planning and scheduling activities across High Voltage and Energy sector projects.
- Develop, maintain and update fully resource-loaded project schedules using Primavera P6 in accordance with project and contractual requirements.
- Prepare and manage EPC, design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning schedules for HV substations, grid infrastructure and energy projects.
- Coordinate with engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning teams to ensure accurate programme integration and progress reporting.
- Monitor schedule performance, identify critical path activities, constraints and risks, and recommend corrective actions.
- Conduct schedule risk analysis, what-if scenario planning and time impact assessments.
- Prepare baseline programmes, recovery programmes and revised schedules as required.
- Liaise with Project Managers regarding project progress, schedule performance and forecasting activities.
- Produce weekly and monthly planning reports, dashboards and progress updates for internal and client stakeholders.
- Support resource planning and manpower forecasting activities across project phases.
- Conduct regular site visits to verify progress against programme and validate schedule updates.
- Provide planning support during tendering and pre-construction activities, including programme development and sequencing reviews.
- Assist in budget preparation, cost control activities and earned value reporting where required.
- Ensure planning documentation and reporting meets contractual and client requirements.
- Represent Designer Group professionally with clients, consultants, contractors and utility stakeholders.
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
- Minimum 3-5 years' experience in a Project Planning role within the Energy, Utilities, Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Renewable Energy or High Voltage sectors.
- Proven experience planning and scheduling High Voltage (HV) substation, grid connection, transmission, distribution or utility infrastructure projects.
- Advanced Primavera P6 proficiency is essential.
- Strong understanding of project lifecycle phases including engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.
- Experience developing resource-loaded programmes and managing critical path schedules.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, project specifications and construction methodologies.
- Experience preparing planning reports, delay analysis and schedule recovery programmes.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented and capable of working within fast-paced project environments.
Desirable
- Experience working on HV substations (110kV, 220kV, 400kV or equivalent).
- Experience supporting grid infrastructure, renewable energy, battery storage or utility projects.
- Knowledge of NEC, FIDIC or similar contract frameworks.
- Understanding of earned value management (EVM) and schedule performance measurement.
- Membership of a recognised professional body would be advantageous.