Planning Manager – Lower Thames Crossing

Balfour Beatty

  • Grays, Essex
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 12 hours ago
About the roleAre you ready to play your part in delivering one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure projects?The Lower Thames Crossing will transform connectivity across the southeast and leave a legacy of resilience for generations to come. To deliver it, we're building a world-class team - and we're looking for a Planning Manager with the vision, expertise, and leadership to shape this once-in-a-generation programme.The RoleAs Planning Manager, you'll lead the planning and scheduling of a highly complex, multi-disciplinary project. Your strategic thinking, technical know-how, and ability to inspire a team will directly influence the success of this landmark development. Experience in utilities and power infrastructure will be particularly valuable as these networks are integral to the scheme.What you'll be doingStrategic Planning & Scheduling - Develop robust programmes across tender and contract stages, ensuring logical sequencing and alignment with project goals.Tender Leadership - Define planning scope, constraints, and contract requirements. Oversee the planning team to deliver compelling, winning tender programmes.Contract Delivery - Guide the team in producing and maintaining the Contract Programme. Monitor progress, manage baselines, and implement change control.Critical Path & Risk Management - Analyse programme risk and critical path, advising stakeholders on mitigation and corrective actions. Apply advanced risk techniques (TRA, QSRA).Utilities & Power Integration - Coordinate planning for utilities and power systems, ensuring milestones are met and aligned with wider project delivery.Resource & Contract Oversight - Optimise resources, manage subcontractor/supplier input, and drive performance.Data-Driven Decisions - Produce KPIs and programme insights to support leadership decisions.Leadership & Mentorship - Develop junior planners and foster a culture of continuous improvement.Who we're looking forProven expertise in planning major infrastructure or civil engineering projects.Technical skills in Primavera P6, ASTA Powerproject, MS Project, and Excel.Deep knowledge of construction methodologies, NEC contracts, and earned value management.Skilled in TRA, QSRA, risk analysis, and 4D/BIM integration.Demonstrated experience of utilities and power system planning on major projects.Strong communicator with the ability to engage stakeholders and lead teams.Why work for us
  • Competitive salary + bonus opportunities
  • 25 days' annual leave + bank holidays
  • Up to 7% employer pension contribution
  • Professional fees paid + chartership pathways
  • Smart working with up to 40% remote flexibility
  • Life assurance, EAP, and family-friendly policies
  • Volunteering opportunities to make a real impact
  • Access to industry-leading training and qualifications
About usBalfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.Diversity and inclusionAt Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com

Balfour Beatty