Planning Manager – Construction and Mega Infrastructure Projects | UAE

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)

• Engineering & Technical
• Construction & Real Estate
• Operations & Supply Chain

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is hiring an experienced Planning Manager for a construction opportunity in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This senior-level position is ideal for professionals with 12 to 15 years of planning experience, including at least five years in a Planning Manager role, and proven expertise in Primavera P6, project master scheduling, delay analysis, Extension of Time claims, resource-loaded schedules, cost-loaded programmes, and schedule risk management.

The Planning Manager will play a critical leadership role in developing and maintaining the Project Master Schedule from Level 1 through Level 4, monitoring progress against approved baselines, developing recovery plans, and ensuring effective schedule integration across procurement, design, and construction activities. The successful candidate will collaborate with DAEP, supervision consultants, design teams, clients, senior management, and multidisciplinary project stakeholders.

This opportunity offers significant long‑term career growth and professional development through involvement in mega infrastructure or airport projects. Professionals will gain valuable exposure to complex project controls, FIDIC contracts, EOT claims, schedule risk assessments, Primavera P6 planning, and multidisciplinary construction management. PMP or PSP certification is considered an advantage and can further support career progression in senior planning and project controls leadership roles.

• Develop, manage, update, and maintain the Project Master Schedule from Level 1 through Level 4 using Primavera P6.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive baseline schedules aligned with contractual milestones and overall project objectives.
• Interface with DAEP, supervision consultants, design teams, clients, and other key project stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate a team of Planning Engineers and Planning Coordinators.
• Prepare and submit comprehensive weekly and monthly progress reports to the client and senior management.
• Monitor actual project progress against the approved baseline schedule and identify potential delays or deviations.
• Develop practical recovery plans and mitigation strategies when project activities fall behind schedule.
• Lead the preparation of Extension of Time claims and detailed delay analyses.
• Develop, maintain, and analyse resource-loaded and cost-loaded project schedules.
• Conduct schedule risk assessments and maintain the project risk register.
• Coordinate with procurement, design, and construction teams to ensure effective schedule integration.
• Represent the planning team during client meetings, internal progress meetings, and other project coordination sessions.
• Analyse critical paths, project milestones, schedule performance, and potential programme risks.
• Support effective decision‑making by providing accurate planning data, forecasts, progress analysis, and schedule recommendations.
• Ensure project planning activities comply with contractual requirements, FIDIC principles, and established project controls standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• 12 to 15 years of professional experience in project planning and construction scheduling.
• Minimum of five years of experience working specifically as a Planning Manager.
• Expert‑level proficiency in Primavera P6.
• Proven experience working on mega infrastructure or airport projects.
• Strong knowledge of Project Master Schedules, including Level 1 through Level 4 scheduling.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing baseline, recovery, resource‑loaded, and cost‑loaded schedules.
• Strong expertise in Extension of Time claims and delay analysis.
• Knowledge of FIDIC contracts and contractual planning requirements.
• Experience conducting schedule risk assessments and maintaining risk registers.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with experience mentoring Planning Engineers and Coordinators.
• Ability to…