Planning Manager

We are seeking a highly accomplished Planning Manager to take strategic ownership of planning, scheduling, and project controls for major, high-value construction and real estate developments in Dubai.

This is a key leadership role for a seasoned planning professional with a proven track record in major residential and luxury real estate projects . As Planning Manager, you will oversee project planning strategy across all project phases, lead planning teams, drive schedule performance, and act as a trusted advisor to Project Directors and Senior Leadership.

Working closely with Project Directors, senior executives, and key stakeholders, you will ensure complex, large-scale projects are delivered against ambitious timelines while establishing robust planning standards, proactively managing risks, and steering governance.

Key Responsibilities

- Strategic Planning Leadership: Define, implement, and govern overall project planning, scheduling strategies, and project control frameworks across major construction developments.
- Team Management & Development: Lead, mentor, and manage planning engineers and project controls professionals, fostering high standards of performance and operational excellence.
- Master Schedule Ownership: Direct the development, integration, and management of baseline programmes, integrated master schedules, and resource/cost-loaded schedules aligned with contractual obligations and business objectives.
- Risk & Delay Management: Drive critical path analysis, scenario planning, schedule risk assessments, and delay impact analysis (including Extension of Time - EOT claims strategy) to safeguard project targets.
- Governance & Performance Monitoring: Challenge progress assumptions, monitor performance against approved baselines, and hold internal teams, consultants, and contractors accountable for schedule commitments.
- Executive Reporting & Stakeholder Alignment: Lead the preparation and presentation of high-level executive dashboards, progress reports, and strategic insights for senior leadership and Project Directors.
- Contractor & Subcontractor Oversight: Review, evaluate, and approve contractor/subcontractor programmes to ensure full compliance with project and contractual requirements.
- Continuous Improvement: Establish best practices, refine reporting standards, and modernize project controls and planning methodologies across the organization.

Requirements

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
- Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in project planning and controls, with proven experience in a leadership or managerial capacity on major, large-scale construction/real estate projects in the UAE/GCC region.
- Expertise: Deep expertise in planning software (Primavera P6, MS Project), critical path analysis, forensic delay analysis, and EOT claims management.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of managing planning teams and interacting directly with C-suite executives, clients, and main contractors.
- Language: Professional working proficiency in English.

Benefits

- Competitive salary package
- Official UAE employment status
- Comprehensive medical insurance coverage
- Opportunity to lead planning strategy on iconic developments in Dubai
- Direct collaboration with executive leadership and key industry players

Working schedule: 6 days per week - Monday to Saturday, (Sunday is a day off).