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).

Work arrangement
No