Senior Project Planning Manager

Senior Project Planning Manager

The Role

We are looking for an accomplished and strategic Senior Planning Manager to take charge of all project scheduling and planning functions across our portfolio. In this critical leadership role, you will guide a team of planning professionals, ensuring that every project phase—from design through to handover—adheres to contractual timelines. You will act as the central authority on schedule integrity, proactively identifying risks, communicating impacts to stakeholders, and recommending effective mitigation strategies to keep complex construction projects on track.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Scheduling

• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive project schedules, covering design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.

• Establish best-in-class planning practices, ensuring all deliverables align with contract obligations and client expectations.

• Conduct regular schedule reviews and scenario analyses to anticipate potential disruptions caused by market changes, design modifications, or unforeseen site conditions.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Manage and mentor a team of planning engineers and schedulers, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate closely with project managers, discipline leads, subcontractors, and government authorities to ensure seamless integration of work programs.

• Facilitate planning workshops and coordination meetings to align all stakeholders on project milestones and critical paths.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Evaluate project progress through rigorous analysis of status reports, performance metrics, and earned value management techniques.

• Prepare and present detailed progress reports, dashboards, and forecasts to senior management and clients, highlighting potential slippages and recommended corrective actions.

• Maintain an accurate and dynamic project baseline, updating schedules to reflect actual site progress and change orders.

Risk & Change Management

• Identify critical risks and bottlenecks within project timelines, proposing proactive solutions to avoid delays and cost overruns.

• Lead the preparation and submission of Extension of Time (EOT) claims, providing robust delay analysis and substantiation documentation.

• Assess and evaluate subcontractor schedules, ensuring they are fully aligned with the master baseline schedule and recommending remedial actions where necessary.

Contractual & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all planning activities comply with local and international construction standards, safety regulations, and quality objectives.

• Review contractual planning requirements and integrate them into detailed work programs, protecting the organization’s interests.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Support HSE initiatives by embedding safety milestones into project schedules and participating in safety awareness activities.

• Contribute to incident reporting and resolution processes, ensuring that planning considerations include safe work practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of construction planning principles, project management methodologies, and scheduling best practices.

• Software Proficiency: Advanced expertise in Primavera P6 is mandatory. Familiarity with MS Project and other planning tools is advantageous.

• Analytical Acumen: Strong ability to analyze complex data, conduct critical path analysis, and produce accurate forecasts and delay assessments.

• Cost & Contract Knowledge: Solid understanding of cost control principles, EOT claim preparation, and construction contract law (including FIDIC).

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to influence stakeholders and present complex planning data clearly.

• Leadership: Proven track record of managing planning teams and driving cross-functional collaboration.

• Systems Knowledge: Functional knowledge of ERP systems, particularly SAP, is essential for resource and project data integration.

Experience & Education

• Professional Experience: Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in construction planning and scheduling, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.

• Regional Experience: Prior experience working in the GCC region (2+ years) is highly preferred.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. Professional certifications such as PMP, PSP, or RMP are a distinct advantage.