Senior Construction Planner

Senior Construction Planner

Location Madison

Job Category Operations Support

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Job Purpose

The Senior Construction Planner provides advanced technical expertise and leadership in coordinating customer-driven construction projects, from pre-design through energizing. Serving as a key liaison between customers, developers, internal engineering and operations teams, and joint installation partners, this role handles complex and high-impact projects, ensures project readiness, resolves design-to-construction challenges, and leads multi-party scheduling and coordination. The Senior Construction Planner also mentors Construction Planners, supports process improvement initiatives, and helps shape consistent, high-quality customer and project execution experiences.

Core Responsibilities

Note: This is not an all-inclusive listing

• Manage and guide complex or sensitive projects requiring advanced judgment, technical understanding, and stakeholder coordination.

• Serve as the senior point of contact for customers and developers, resolving escalated issues and ensuring alignment on project expectations, schedules, and requirements.

• Lead detailed site readiness assessments including trench paths, grading, obstacles, multi-utility coordination needs, and compliance with construction standards.

• Facilitate multi-party readiness and coordination meetings; ensure accurate documentation, issue resolution, and integration with Engineering, Operations, Meter Shops, Energy Operations Administration, and joint installation companies (ATT, Charter, TDS, etc.).

• Provide advanced cross-functional coordination with internal engineers and external partners to address design gaps, construction constraints, and sequencing challenges.

• Work closely with Project Managers to review project risks, identify schedule impacts, and recommend strategies to maintain efficiency from inquiry through build completion.

• Lead customer and developer discussions during pre-design, confirming electric and gas service requirements, loads, meter needs, and timeline assumptions.

• Provide expert-level guidance on MGE standards, construction requirements, timelines, and information found in the Electrical Contractors Handbook and Gas Service Handbook.

• Oversee and confirm energizing schedules in collaboration with applicants, Meter Shops, Operations, and Energy Operations Administration.

• Mentor and support Construction Planners through technical guidance, coaching, and work review.

• Identify and recommend process improvements related to scheduling, customer engagement, pre-design activities, and joint-trench coordination.

• Serve as an internal subject matter expert for interpreting construction plans, specifications, codes, and standards.

Behavioral Competencies

Note: These are in addition to MGE's core competencies

• Customer Focus - Anticipates needs and effectively manages complex or sensitive customer situations.

• Plans & Aligns - Creates and adjusts plans for high-impact construction projects with significant dependencies.

• Technical Savvy - Applies deep technical understanding of utility construction, energy delivery systems, and codes.

Skills

• Advanced understanding of electric, gas, and DER distribution systems and utility construction methods.

• High-level proficiency in interpreting and explaining engineering drawings, construction plans, codes, and standards.

• Strong ability to coordinate and sequence work across multiple utilities, contractors, and internal departments.

• Skilled at assessing site readiness and identifying technical constraints or risks.

• Excellent customer communication and facilitation skills for complex, multi-party coordination.

• Strong documentation, organizational, and scheduling capabilities.

• Ability to provide coaching, guidance, and technical leadership to others.

Education

• Associate's degree in engineering, construction management, or related field required.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Valid driver's license required for travel to customer sites.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in utility construction, engineering, or a closely related technical field.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex or multi-utility construction projects.

• Experience collaborating with customers, developers, and multi-disciplinary teams.

• Experience mentoring or guiding junior technical staff is preferred.

Work Location

This hybrid role is based at our Madison, WI headquarters. While three days onsite is the minimum, team collaboration and business needs may require additional in-office presence.

Pre-employment will require satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen.

We are an AA/EOE employer and consider all qualified candidates without regard to protected status.