Planning Director

Al Ashram ContractingDubaigulftalentpublished 11/12/2026
Must-have:DataSeniorLead

Stakeholder Management

  • Manage stakeholder expectations by providing accurate reporting on project status, risks, delays, and recovery actions.
  • Build trust and credibility with stakeholders through data-driven insights, and solution-focused recommendations.
  • Develop stakeholder engagement strategies for complex projects ensuring alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Provide expert planning advice during negotiations, contractual discussions, and project performance reviews.
  • Collaborate with project directors, commercial, engineering and procurement to ensure effective project delivery.

Project Scheduling & Monitoring

  • Oversee the preparation of project baseline programmes, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements.
  • Ensure effective utilization of planning tools, including Primavera P6 and other project management systems.
  • Monitor project progress, identify critical activities, and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
  • Review project forecasts and mitigation strategies to minimise delays and improve delivery outcomes.
  • Challenge project teams on programme performance and productivity levels to ensure delivery commitments are achieved.

Risk, Delay & Change Management

  • Provide strategic oversight of programme risks, ensuring potential impacts on project completion dates, milestones, cost, and contractual obligations are proactively managed.
  • Provide strategic planning input for extension of time (EOT) submissions, delay analysis, and contractual matters.
  • Establish governance processes to ensure consistent assessment and management of project risks across the portfolio.
  • Review contractor and subcontractor performance to identify recurring delays and implement improvement actions.

Tender & Pre-Construction Support

  • Provide strategic planning leadership during the tender and pre-construction phases to support successful project bids and effective project mobilization.
  • Review tender documentation, contract requirements, specifications, scope of works, and client requirements to develop realistic and achievable project programmes.
  • Support bid submissions through realistic programme development and resource planning.
  • Provide planning expertise during client and consultant discussions.
  • Collaborate with Estimation, Commercial, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations teams to ensure alignment between the tender programme, pricing strategy, and construction methodology.

Performance Management & Reporting

  • Develop and implement robust project performance management frameworks to ensure consistent monitoring, measurement, and reporting of project delivery performance.
  • Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to schedule performance, productivity, progress achievement, resource utilization, and project efficiency.
  • Provide executive-level performance dashboards and reports to senior management, highlighting project status, key risks, trends, and strategic recommendations.
  • Analyze project performance data to identify deviations from approved programmes, assess root causes, and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
  • Lead periodic project performance reviews with Project Directors, Project Managers, and key stakeholders to evaluate progress against contractual milestones and business objectives.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field (Master’s preferred).
  • Minimum of 15 years’ experience in planning and project controls within the construction/contracting industry, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role.
  • Professional certification in project controls, planning, or project management (PMP, AACE, PSP, or equivalent) is preferred.
  • Proven track record in managing large-scale projects from pre-construction to handover.
  • Strong knowledge of planning software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and Power BI.
  • Solid understanding of FIDIC contracts and delay analysis techniques.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
  • Strategic Thinking; Risk Management; Decision Making; Contractual Awareness; Technical Planning Expertise & Leadership & Team Management are key competencies required.
  • Experience in earned value management (EVM), progress measurement, and productivity analysis.
  • Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret complex project data.
  • Proficiency in project reporting tools and digital project management platforms.
  • Development and capability enhancement of the planning team
  • Contribution to successful tender submissions and business growth