Senior Planning Manager
Skills
About This Role
Company Description
Founded in 2016 and based in Dubai, Ground Up Construction provides comprehensive, tailor-made solutions for a diverse array of construction projects, including residential buildings, private villas, schools, shopping centers, and retail spaces.
Known for its innovative approach and commitment to exceptional planning and design, the company delivers high-quality outcomes that enhance urban infrastructure and streetscapes across the UAE.
With a team of skilled professionals, Ground Up Construction prioritizes client satisfaction while maintaining a focus on efficiency and creativity.
The company's core belief is that its people are its greatest asset, fostering a culture of appreciation and continuous growth.
Job Summary
A leading professional contracting company in Dubai is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Planning Manager to lead the planning, scheduling, monitoring, and project controls functions across multiple high-rise and large-scale developments.
The ideal candidate shall possess extensive UAE construction experience, advanced project planning and controls expertise, and strong leadership capabilities in managing complex construction programs from pre-construction through project delivery.
The role requires proactive coordination with project management, engineering, procurement, commercial, and site teams to ensure successful project execution within approved timelines, budgets, and contractual milestones.
Project Planning & Scheduling
- Develop, review, and maintain master project schedules for multiple projects using Primavera P6.
- Prepare:
- Baseline programs
- Detailed construction schedules
- Recovery programs
- Short-term and long-term lookahead plans.
- Establish realistic project timelines, critical paths, milestones, and resource-loading strategies.
- Monitor project progress and ensure alignment with contractual requirements and approved schedules.
Project Controls & Monitoring
- Lead all project controls activities including:
- Progress monitoring
- Productivity analysis
- Delay analysis
- Risk assessments
- Forecasting.
- Analyze project performance and identify schedule deviations, bottlenecks, and potential delays.
- Develop mitigation and acceleration plans to recover delays and improve project performance.
- Ensure accurate reporting of project status, earned progress, and completion forecasts.
Coordination & Stakeholder Management
- Coordinate closely with:
- Project Directors
- Construction Managers
- Engineering teams
- Procurement departments
- Commercial and contracts teams
- Consultants and clients.
- Participate in progress review meetings and present planning reports to senior management and stakeholders.
- Support tendering and pre-construction teams with planning and methodology inputs.
Claims & Delay Analysis
- Prepare and review:
- Extension of Time (EOT) claims
- Delay impact analyses
- Time-related contractual submissions.
- Support commercial and contractual teams in dispute resolution and claims management.
- Maintain proper records and supporting documentation for all planning-related matters.
Resource & Productivity Management
- Monitor manpower, equipment, procurement, and material delivery schedules.
- Ensure resource optimization and alignment with project execution plans.
- Analyze productivity trends and recommend corrective actions where required.
Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor planning engineers and project controls teams across multiple projects.
- Establish planning standards, reporting formats, and best practices within the organization.
- Drive continuous improvement in planning systems, reporting accuracy, and project controls methodologies.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
Experience
- Minimum 15 years of planning and project controls experience within major contracting companies.
- Minimum 5–7 years in a senior planning leadership role in the UAE/GCC.
- Proven experience managing planning functions for:
- High-rise towers
- Hotels
- Large mixed-use developments
- Mega construction projects.
- Strong understanding of construction sequencing, methodologies, and project delivery strategies.
Technical Skills
- Advanced proficiency in:
- Primavera P6
- Microsoft Project
- Excel and reporting dashboards.
- Strong expertise in:
* Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Delay analysis
- EOT claims
- Resource planning
- Cost and schedule integration.
- Ability to prepare executive-level planning reports and presentations.
Certifications (Preferred)
- PMP Certification
- PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional)
- Primavera Certified Professional
- Delay Analysis / Claims certifications are an advantage.
Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments.
- High-level reporting and presentation capability.
- Strong negotiation and coordination skills.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Project Planning
- Project Controls & Monitoring
- Delay Analysis & Recovery Planning
- Resource Optimization
- Contractual & Claims Support
- Leadership & Team Development
- Stakeholder Coordination
- Risk Management
Package & Benefits
- Competitive salary package.
- Company visa, medical insurance, and annual leave benefits.
- Career growth opportunity within a leading contracting organization.
- Professional and dynamic work environment with major landmark developments.
Preferred Candidate Profile
- Candidates currently based in the UAE with strong experience in leading planning departments for reputed contracting companies will be highly preferred.
Experience
in fast-track high-rise developments and managing multiple concurrent projects is essential.
CVs Please sent to : Mary@groundupuae.com
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