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Job Introduction

We’re looking for a PMO Programme Planner to join our South West Major Projects Team at a pivotal time within our RIIO-ED2 and ED3 programme.

Reporting to the Regional PMO Lead you will play a key role in shaping and assuring the delivery of our major capital investment programme. This is a highly visible role, working at the heart of the business with regional teams, project teams, finance partners and suppliers to ensure our plans are robust, credible and deliver against financial and operational targets and commitments.

With a strong focus on financial planning, project assurance and governance, you’ll provide confidence that our programmes are on track – flagging risks early, challenging assumptions and ensuring that there are no surprises.

This role follows our hybrid working approach with a mix of office and home working. The role will be based within the South West region with a preference for Bristol, Taunton, Exeter or Weston-super-Mare. This is a full-time role, but flexibility in working pattern may be considered. Occasional Travel across the region (including Gloucester) will be needed.

Main Responsibilities

  • Proactively collaborate with the Regional Head of Department and Major Projects Team Managers to drive strategic project prioritisation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
  • Working with Team Managers across the South West to plan a comprehensive work programme that aligns to financial delivery targets, taking into account project timelines, budget constraints and resource availability.
  • Assist in defining project resourcing strategies, working closely with Major Projects Team Managers to optimise resource allocation across various projects and teams in alignment with business priorities.
  • Support the development, consolidation and ongoing assurance of the South West Major Projects programme to ensure plans are realistic, prioritised and aligned to RIIO‑ED2 and ED3 commitments.
  • Working closely with South West Major Projects Leaders to provide assurance across annual and monthly CAPEX forecasts, budgets and other performance related metrics and targets.
  • Review project forecasts and assumptions through detailed due diligence, ensuring financial and delivery data is accurate, understood and credible.
  • Oversee key financial housekeeping activities, including but not limited to, purchase orders, sanctions, invoicing, receipting and project closures, ensuring operational and governance requirements are met.
  • Review accruals and milestone payments, working in partnership with Finance Business Partners to ensure accuracy and transparency.
  • Support internal assurance and audit activities (including SOX), ensuring projects comply with required PMO and governance standards.
  • Build strong relationships across PMO, Major Projects, Finance, Engineering, Consents & Wayleaves, Design, Suppliers, Customers and Partners to support effective collaboration.
  • Use a range of systems and tools (including Excel, Power BI and reporting platforms) to analyse and interrogate data, producing clear insights that support decision‑making.
  • Collaborate with PMO colleagues across other regions to share best practice, drive consistency and continuously improve programme planning and assurance.

Ideal Candidate

  • Experience in programme planning, PMO, finance or assurance ideally within utilities, infrastructure or a regulated environment.
  • Strong understanding of financial planning, forecasting and monthly financial cycles with the confidence to provide assurance and constructive challenge.
  • Advanced excel skills, with the ability to manipulate and analyse complex data sets from multiple sources to support decision making.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility, influence stakeholders and work effectively with colleagues at all levels. Naturally inquisitive and detail focused, with a natural interest in getting ‘under the skin’ of plans, numbers and assumptions.
  • A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the South West region as required.

Desirable

  • Experience working on or around large scale capital projects (£1m+).
  • Familiarity with PMO governance, audit processes and regulated frameworks.
  • Knowledge of electricity distribution or the wider utilities sector.
  • Experience in using Project Management tools and software (e.g.. Primavera P6, Microsoft Project).
  • A degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Operations, Economics, Business Administration is welcome but not essential - we’ll give equal consideration to candidates with equivalent experience.

About Us

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses.

National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.