Planning Engineer – Special Projects

Arada; Dubai; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Dubai seeks a Planning Engineer to oversee execution of high-impact development initiatives. The role involves project scheduling, risk management, and collaboration across teams to ensure timely delivery and quality assurance. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree and expertise in Primavera P6, with extensive experience in the real estate or hospitality sector. Join a dynamic team focused on excellence and strategic decision-making in development projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6-7 years of experience in planning and scheduling.
• Proven experience in real estate or mixed-use development.
• Certification in Primavera P6 essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage milestone-driven project schedules.
• Monitor project progress and prepare executive-level reports.
• Identify risks early and propose mitigation strategies.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Problem-solving ability

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Planning Engineer will support the GCEO Special Projects Office in planning and overseeing the timely execution of smaller-scale, high-impact, and often bespoke development initiatives. These projects, while limited in size compared to master developments, are strategic in nature and require precision planning, agility, and cross-functional coordination. The role involves developing detailed project schedules using Primavera P6, aligning internal and external stakeholders, identifying risks early, and supporting data-driven decision-making throughout all phases of project execution.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Planning & Coordination:

• Develop and manage detailed, milestone-driven project schedules for multiple concurrent special projects, ensuring alignment with executive priorities and timelines.
• Create and maintain project-specific plans covering early-stage feasibility, design, procurement, construction, fit-out, and handover.
• Liaise closely with internal teams including Development, Design, Procurement, and Construction to align project deliverables with broader organizational goals.
• Tailor planning strategies to suit smaller, fast-track, and design-sensitive projects.

Monitoring & Reporting:

• Continuously monitor progress against baseline schedules and proactively flag deviations or delays.
• Prepare concise, high-quality progress dashboards and reports for executive-level audiences, focusing on critical path items, key milestones, and decision bottlenecks.
• Utilize project KPIs to measure and communicate performance and progress.

Risk Management & Issue Resolution:

• Identify timing, resource, and approval-related risks early in the project lifecycle and propose actionable mitigation strategies.
• Support change management processes, ensuring any revisions to timelines or scope are reflected in the master schedule and approved by leadership.
• Address and resolve planning issues swiftly to keep projects on track and within GCEO-defined parameters.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Coordinate with external consultants, contractors, and regulatory bodies to ensure timely delivery of project components.
• Support internal and external stakeholder alignment, especially during permitting, tendering, and mobilization phases.
• Ensure smooth handover from planning to execution, maintaining continuity and clarity across teams.

Quality Assurance & Executive Reporting:

• Ensure that all planning documentation meets internal quality standards and is ready for executive-level presentations.
• Support the GCEO Office with scenario analysis and what-if planning to aid strategic decision-making.
• Track and report planning progress against defined success metrics and ensure lessons learned are captured for future projects.

QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Certification or demonstrated expertise in Primavera P6 is essential.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 6-7 years of experience in planning and scheduling, preferably in real estate, hospitality, or mixed-use development.
• Proven experience in managing smaller-scale or special projects where timelines are condensed and expectations are high.
• Strong exposure to early-stage planning, feasibility, and pre-construction coordination.

SKILLS

• Expert-level proficiency in Primavera P6 and MS Project; strong command of Excel and PowerPoint for executive reporting.
• Strong analytical mindset with a keen eye for detail and accuracy in project tracking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise across departments and with senior leadership.
• High level of adaptability and problem-solving ability in a fast-paced, dynamic project environment.
• Solid understanding of development workflows, from concept design through to handover, with emphasis on planning excellence.