Strategic Planning Manager

Overview

Location:
Euston, United Kingdom
Contact type:
Permanent
Job category:
Projectwide Services
Closing date:
30.09.2026
Job reference:
scsrail/TP/49152/4233

Job introduction

Role

The Strategic Planning Manager will lead the development, transformation, and continuous improvement of the SCS Planning Function, ensuring planning remains a key enabler of project delivery, programme assurance, change management, and project completion.

The role will act as a strategic partner to the Head of Planning, Delivery Units, Project Controls, Risk, Commercial, Technical Services and PMO teams to ensure planning standards, governance, reporting and systems are consistently applied across SCS.

The Strategic Planning Manager will be responsible for driving planning excellence, embedding the "One Team" planning culture, improving visibility of planning across the business, integrating digital technologies and AI-enabled solutions.

The role will also provide strategic leadership for Clause 32 processes, programme governance, planning standards, reporting development, Power BI integration and cross-functional collaboration across the wider SCS structure.

The Strategic Planning Manager is responsible for:

Support development and implementation of the SCS Planning Strategy and Planning Improvement Roadmap.
Lead the transition of planning processes and governance arrangements to align with the Delivery Unit (DU) structure.
Assess and recommend improvements to:
1. Clause 32 processes
2. Programme reviews
3. Planning governance
4. Reporting frameworks
5. P6 structures
6. Planning assurance requirements
Develop long-term improvement initiatives that support successful project delivery and completion.
Act as a trusted advisor to the Head of Planning on planning strategies.

Planning Transformation and Continuous Improvement

Drive the implementation of a "One Planning Team" approach across SCS.
Develop and maintain consistent:
- Planning procedures
- Standards
- Templates
- Working methodologies
- Assurance arrangements
Lead planning lessons learned, best practice reviews and maturity assessments.
Facilitate planning workshops, collaboration forums and continuous improvement initiatives.
Promote consistency of planning outputs, reporting and programme management practices across all Delivery Units.
Lead development of modern planning solutions and digital reporting capabilities.
Collaborate with IT and Data teams to:
- Enhance reporting through Power BI
- Develop data warehouse integration
- Improve planning automation
- Reduce manual reporting effort
Investigate and implement AI opportunities within planning, reporting and project controls.

Required Experience, Qualifications & Skills

Significant experience in planning and project controls within major infrastructure projects.
Extensive knowledge of NEC contracts and programme management.
Experience in:
- Clause 32 programme submissions
- Programme governance
- Change management
- PMO integration
- Risk management
- Reporting development
Advanced Primavera P6 capability.
Experience developing planning standards and procedures.
Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills.
Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Controls or similar discipline.

Behaviours / Attributes

In addition to the above discipline role, the Planning Manager must carry out his/her duties in accordance with the SCS JV Core Values:

Location

SCS Jv Railways
Euston
NW1
United Kingdom

Frequently asked questions

No. The HS2 London tunnels is a mega project that requires thousands of people to turn the dream into reality, and we’re actively looking for new talent from other industries. We also have a number of initiatives to help vulnerable people into work, including offering employment opportunities to people who are homeless, disabled, returning to work after a career break or leaving the military.
We support local businesses, communities and regional economies, working with several major contractors who rely on smaller suppliers to deliver services across HS2 Ltd. Many businesses are local to our sites, meaning we can support our local economy and reduce our environmental impact.

Recently, SCS JV was recognised for its role in building a supply chain that reflects the communities in which they operate by winning the HS2 Minority-owned Business Champion award. To date, we’ve awarded contracts totalling £135m to minority owned businesses in their local area and have placed a strong focus on ensuring small firms have every opportunity to thrive by providing access to free training and business development opportunities.
We thrive through embracing differences, whether that’s in social background, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, age, religion or sexual orientation. We know that diversity opens a rich potential for new ways of thinking, helping us to build successful and high-performing teams.

We hold network groups for Pride, Parents & Carers, Racial and Cultural Engagement (RaCE) and Female Advocates in Infrastructure and Rail (FAIR). Led by employees for employees, these groups provide a safe place to connect with like minded people.
Yes, we consider all requests for flexible working, including compressed hours, part-time and remote working. Many of our staff operate on a Flexitime system, which means they can take time off for accumulated overtime.

Hiring Process

1

Your application is received and shortlisting takes place
2

If you’re shortlisted, your CV is anonymised and sent to our hiring managers for review
3

We’ll invite you for interview at one of our sites where you’ll discover more about the role and meet some of our team
4

If you’re successful, you’ll receive a job offer and contract from the relevant parent company
5

Subject to vetting and references, your onboarding process begins
6

Onboarding is complete! Welcome to SCS JV