Planning Manager

Planning Manager – Infrastructure Project

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Planning Manager to take a leading role in the delivery of a major new substation in Suffolk, supporting a flagship renewable energy project in the Southern North Sea. This project is central to Britain’s journey toward Net Zero by connecting a significant offshore wind farm to the National Grid.

In addition to the substation, there is a focus on vital civil engineering works, including the construction and enhancement of surrounding highways and connecting roads, enabling long-term access and supporting both construction and operational phases of the project.

The Role:

Reporting to the Project Director, the Planning Manager will be a key member of the leadership team, actively shaping and driving the delivery strategy — not just reporting on progress. You will be expected to interrogate project data, challenge assumptions, and take ownership of programme outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading planning processes for significant earthworks, highway and access road construction, new infrastructure, reinforced concrete structures, and steel-framed superstructures.
• Ensuring highway interfaces and upgrades are planned effectively in collaboration with local authorities and transport stakeholders.
• Embedding health, safety, and environmental requirements into the programme, including documentation, sequencing, approvals, and competency checks.
• Developing detailed, phased construction stage plans that support safe, efficient, and coordinated delivery.
• Proactively identifying programme risks and opportunities, contributing to the risk register, and building robust allowances into plans.
• Working closely with estimating and temporary works teams to plan access strategies, logistics, and phasing of works.
• Challenging and validating subcontractor and supplier schedules and methodologies.
• Supporting the wider team in driving progress, not just flagging delays—ensuring early identification of issues and helping resolve them before they impact delivery.

About You:

You will bring a proactive, hands-on approach and a strong track record of working collaboratively across disciplines to keep complex programmes on course.

We’re looking for someone with:

• A degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience in planning large-scale civil engineering or infrastructure projects, ideally with exposure to highway works and utility interfaces.
• A sharp eye for detail, with the ability to interrogate programme data, spot emerging trends, and offer practical solutions.
• Proficiency in planning tools such as Primavera P6, CAD, PowerPoint, and 4Projects.
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as ICE or APM (desirable).

Project Timeline:

The project is currently in the design and environmental consent phase. Construction is expected to commence in spring next year, with overall completion targeted for December 2027.

If you're ready to lead rather than just monitor, and want to be at the heart of one of the UK’s most important green infrastructure projects, we would love to hear from you.