Planning Manager

Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead the planning, scheduling, and project controls functions. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining integrated project schedules, monitoring project performance, identifying risks to project delivery, and providing strategic planning support throughout the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in large-scale Data Centre developments and a strong understanding of fast-track construction environments, stakeholder management, and project controls methodologies.

Your role

• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules from concept through commissioning and handover.

• Establish project planning procedures, scheduling standards, and reporting frameworks.

• Prepare baseline programmes, recovery schedules, and revised project plans as required.

• Monitor project progress and perform critical path analysis to identify schedule risks and opportunities.

• Coordinate with project managers, engineering teams, contractors, consultants, and clients to ensure project milestones are achieved.

• Lead schedule reviews, progress meetings, and planning workshops with internal and external stakeholders.

• Analyze project performance against approved baselines and provide accurate forecasts of project completion dates.

• Prepare weekly and monthly planning reports, dashboards, and executive summaries.

• Implement and maintain Earned Value Management (EVM) and other project control techniques where applicable.

• Review contractor programmes and assess schedule impacts arising from variations, delays, and change requests.

• Support claims analysis, extension of time evaluations, and forensic schedule assessments.

• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize schedule delays.

• Mentor and guide planning engineers within the project team.

About you

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Professional certifications such as PMP, PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional), or equivalent

• Minimum 12 years of experience in planning and scheduling activities within the construction, engineering, or infrastructure sectors.

• Minimum 5 years of experience working on Data Centre projects.

• Proven experience managing planning functions on large-scale mission-critical facilities.

• Experience across the full project lifecycle, including design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover.

• UAE or GCC project experience is highly preferred.

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.

• Strong knowledge of project controls, critical path methodology (CPM), and schedule risk analysis.

• Proficient in Microsoft Project, Excel, and Power BI reporting tools.

• Experience preparing executive dashboards and progress reports for senior leadership and clients

Rewards & benefits

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.

• Comprehensive life insurance coverage.

• Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.

• Generous annual leave balance.

• Flexible and hybrid work solutions.a

• Remote work opportunities outside of country.

• Company gratuity scheme.

• Discretionary bonus program.

• Annual flight contribution.

• Relocation assistance.

• Transportation & housing allowances (available for remote work locations).

• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.