What does a lead planner do? Responsibilities and job description
The Middle East is on a mission to become more sustainable.
As investment increases in many sustainability-focused mega-projects across the region, the demand for talented professionals in Project Management rises.
Lead Planners are just one example of individuals with expertise who are driving growth in the region.
Today, we’ll draw attention to the Lead Planner’s job description, roles, and responsibilities with a look into areas they help shape the future.
What is the role of a Lead Planner?
Lead planners play a crucial role when it comes to project success. Through meticulous planning, coordination, and control, lead planners are highly skilled in what they do.
A Lead Planner works within our brilliant Project Controls team alongside project managers and technical discipline leads. They’re experts when it comes to producing, updating, and reporting on project programmes and schedules while also presenting to stakeholders and communicating progress.
Collaboration is key in this role and there’s always the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients on multidisciplinary projects.
The breadth and depth of this role will see you work on a wide variety of state-of-the-art projects across the Middle East.
With initiatives and policy focuses like Saudi Vision 2030 and Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, construction projects and infrastructure are booming. From NEOM to the Red Sea Project, there’s plenty you can lend your talent and innovative ideas to while boosting your career.
Lead Planner responsibilities
The responsibilities of lead planners can vary significantly depending on the client's location and the nature of the construction projects they are involved in, making this a diverse and fulfilling role.
Here are some responsibilities our lead planners demonstrate in their day-to-day in AtkinsRéalis Middle East:
- Oversee aspects of Project Programme and Project Controls.
- Attend and guide client progress meetings while building relationships and maintaining regular client contact.
- Develop comprehensive project plans, define scope, timelines, and milestones.
- Identify and manage resources along with any project deviations and slippages.
- Ensure that all issues within the programme are highlighted and understood by Senior Management and provide appropriate planning advice.
What skills do you need to be a good planner?
There’s a variety of skills that set lead planners up for success. We’ve compiled a list below of some of the most essential:
- Analytical thinking: strategic and logical thinking are vital to creating plans and producing reports.
- Communication: lead planners spend a lot of time communicating with multidisciplinary teams and clients across various projects. As a result, it’s essential to be skilled in collaboration, active listening, and presentation.
- Project management: proficiency in overseeing and managing projects including scheduling, resource allocation, and monitoring progress to ensure successful and timely completion.
- Leadership: helping the wider project team reach common project milestones in line with the client’s expectations.
Take your lead planning career to the Middle East with AtkinsRéalis
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects across the Middle East?
How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on?
It's a diverse and inclusive work environment where world-class talent knows no distinctions. At AtkinsRéalis, you’re in the driver's seat when it comes to your career growth and development.
Look into our planning roles today for a career where you can engineer a better, sustainable future.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
02/04/2025
Summary
Hi, I'm Ahmad, the regional leader of AtkinsRéalis' Power New Build team here in the Northwest of England. Why did I join AtkinsRéalis? I wanted to be part of a world-class engineering services p

Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
Sophie, a Building Surveyor at AtkinsRéalis, tells all about life in Bristol You’ve probably already seen the photos of hot air balloons drifting over Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Clifton Suspensi

Preview
AustraliaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
The rail sector is at the heart of Australia’s infrastructure revolution, spanning more than 36,064km of track and powering economic growth, innovation, and connectivity. Once reliant on imported as

Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/31/2025
Summary
Do you want to fuel your career with purpose and watch your impact grow? Would you like to make an impact and join the global net zero revolution? Do you have what it takes to lead the nuclear r

by
Shailaja Mantha

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/29/2025
Summary
The future of electrical engineering is bright, and its influence on industries like automotive, energy, and wearable technology is growing exponentially. At AtkinsRéalis, electrical engineers are a

Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/29/2025
Summary
Mechanical engineering is recognized as one of the most diverse and impactful fields, constantly shaping innovations across industries. At AtkinsRéalis, professionals like Sean, a BIM (Building

Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/28/2025
Summary
What does it take to transform an industry? Hard work, innovative technology, and a culture that fosters creativity. This is how AtkinsRéalis, a global leader in project management, engineering

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/28/2025
Summary
If you are thinking of global career move to KSA, head on to read Sarah’s story on how she relocated to KSA for her work. Hi I’m Sarah, and I joined the AtkinsRéalis Graduate Program to work in T

Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
Infrastructure in the Middle East is developing at a rapid rate. With projected growth of 2.9% by 2030, opportunities in the region aren’t slowing down any time soon. Central to this transformati

Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we’ve had a big part to play in shaping the skyline and infrastructure of the UAE. Having contributed for over 50 years, we’ve been proud supporters of the rapid growth and ambitio

Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/24/2025
Summary
Hello, I'm Amalia, a senior billing specialist at AtkinsRéalis in Romania. On my first day at the organization, I had mixed feelings— I felt a little fear but also confidence that I would be fine

Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/23/2025
Summary
Our journey began in Bangalore, India, as six professionals representing various disciplines from the Global Technology Centre (GTC) embarked on a month-long secondment to lead the Project off

by
Akash Kumar
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project controls
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Cost Control Manager (Estimation Manager), in Abu Dhabi, UAE.About AtkinsRéalis:Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéali
Reference
R-126680
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tabouk
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Tabouk
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for Design Director (Neom Site), in KSA.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class enginee
Reference
R-126003
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tabouk
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Tabouk
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for Design Director (Neom Site), in KSA.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class enginee
Reference
R-126002
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tabouk
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Tabouk
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for Design Director (Neom Site), in KSA.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class enginee
Reference
R-126001
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tabouk
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Tabouk
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking to hire a Senior Director - Delivery to work on site in NEOM.NEOM’s The LINE is a groundbreaking initiative to redefine urban living by creating a zero-carbon, hyper-connected
Reference
R-126000
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tabouk
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Tabouk
Description
About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a bet
Reference
R-125856
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Abu Dhabi
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Abu Dhabi
Description
AtkinsRealis are looking for a Project Manager for a large Data Centre project in Abu Dhabi, UAE.About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, Atkins
Reference
R-124938
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Tabouk
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Permanent
Location
Tabouk
Description
About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a bet
Reference
R-122829
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Mohammed WaseemAuthor
Mohammed WaseemEquality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more