Head of Planning

Our client, a premier construction contractor in the UAE, is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Planning to oversee and lead project planning, scheduling, and delay analysis across high-value civil building construction projects in Dubai. Reporting directly to Executive Management, the Head of Planning will play a critical role in developing robust master schedules, managing project controls, mitigating schedule risks, and driving operational efficiency across multi-million AED building projects. Strategic Planning & Controls: Establish, implement, and standardise project planning, progress tracking, and reporting procedures across all civil building construction projects. Master Scheduling: Oversee the development and maintenance of comprehensive baseline schedules, master planning, and resource-loaded schedules using Primavera P6. Risk & Delay Analysis: Conduct forensic delay analysis, Extension of Time (EOT) claims assessment, baseline updates, and critical path analysis to identify and mitigate schedule risks proactively. Stakeholder Management: Work closely with Project Directors, Commercial teams, Consultants, and Clients to align on project milestones, progress updates, and recovery schedules. Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and direct a team of Senior Planning Engineers and Planners across active sites. Reporting & Forecasting: Deliver executive-level progress reports, productivity analytics, cash flow forecasts, and earned value analysis to senior management. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited university. Professional planning certifications (e.g., PSP, PMP) are preferred. Experience: Minimum 15+ years of solid experience in project planning and scheduling within the civil building construction sector in the GCC/UAE. Technical Mastery: Expert proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project, Earned Value Management (EVM), and delay analysis methodologies. Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of FIDIC contracts, claims procedure, resource allocation, and site execution workflows for high-rise and large-scale building construction projects. Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership, negotiation, analytical, and executive presentation skills. Availability: Candidates locally available in the UAE with immediate availability or standard notice periods will be given priority.