Planning Manager - Infrastructure Project Controls

AECOM Corporation; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Flexible work options

Job summary

AECOM seeks an experienced Planning Manager to lead planning, scheduling and project controls for major infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi. You will develop integrated programmes, monitor progress, and assess contractor schedules to support timely delivery.

The role requires 15+ years in planning and project controls, with at least 5 years as Planning Manager on large infrastructure programs. Strong advanced Primavera P6 skills and FIDIC contract knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) or PMP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, scheduling, progress monitoring and project controls for large infrastructure projects.
• Develop and maintain integrated master programmes across design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, handover and close-out.
• Evaluate contractor schedules and recovery plans for contractual milestones.
• Prepare look-ahead programmes and support construction planning and coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Analytical thinking

Project coordination

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering / Construction Management

PMI-PMP or PMI-SP preferred

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Excel

BIM / digital construction tools

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Planning Manager - Infrastructure Project Controls

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Project Management

Experience: Minimum 15 years in planning and project controls, including at least 5 years as Planning Manager on major infrastructure projects

Job Type: Full Time

Work Arrangement: On-site

Salary: Not disclosed

Business Line: Water

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: ME and Africa

Career Area: Program and Project Management

Position Overview

AECOM is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, and project controls activities for large-scale infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The position is responsible for developing and maintaining integrated project programmes, evaluating contractor schedules, monitoring construction progress, and identifying risks that may affect contractual milestones and project delivery. Working closely with the Client, Project Director, Resident Engineers, contractors, commercial teams, and other stakeholders, the Planning Manager will oversee programme management throughout design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning, handover, and project close-out. The successful candidate must have at least 15 years of planning and project controls experience, including a minimum of five years as a Planning Manager on major infrastructure projects. Advanced Primavera P6 expertise, strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts, and practical experience in delay analysis and Extension of Time assessments are essential to the role.

Project Planning and Programme Management

• Lead the development, maintenance, and updating of integrated master programmes for major infrastructure projects.
• Prepare and manage project schedules using Primavera P6 or equivalent planning software.
• Integrate design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, handover, and close-out activities into coordinated project programmes.
• Review contractor baseline programmes, revised schedules, and proposed recovery plans.
• Evaluate programme compliance with contractual milestones, project objectives, and delivery requirements.
• Identify scheduling interfaces between different construction activities and project stakeholders.
• Establish effective programme monitoring procedures to support timely project execution.
• Ensure planning information remains accurate and reflects current project progress and approved changes.

Progress Monitoring and Project Controls

• Monitor project progress against approved baseline programmes and contractual milestones.
• Analyse schedule performance, critical paths, float consumption, and productivity trends.
• Identify actual or potential delays and recommend corrective measures.
• Review contractor progress updates and assess their implications for project delivery.
• Prepare look-ahead programmes to support construction planning and coordination.
• Monitor milestone achievement and highlight activities requiring management attention.
• Evaluate progress information to identify emerging programme constraints.
• Support project management decisions through accurate scheduling and performance analysis.

Programme Risk and Delay Management

• Identify planning risks and potential delays affecting infrastructure project delivery.
• Perform delay analysis and assess the impact of events on approved project schedules.
• Support the evaluation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims.
• Review relevant programme information and supporting documentation associated with delay assessments.
• Maintain programme risk registers and associated mitigation plans.
• Recommend appropriate recovery strategies where schedule performance falls behind planned progress.
• Coordinate with commercial and project management teams on scheduling matters affecting contractual obligations.
• Communicate significant programme risks and their potential implications to relevant stakeholders.

Stakeholder and Contractor Coordination

• Coordinate planning activities with the Client, contractors, consultants, authorities, and utility providers.
• Work closely with the Project Director, Resident Engineers, and commercial teams to maintain programme alignment.
• Participate in project progress meetings, technical workshops, and coordination meetings.
• Review programme interfaces between contractors and other project participants.
• Support the resolution of scheduling conflicts affecting construction activities.
• Ensure planning activities remain aligned with project execution requirements.
• Communicate programme updates, milestone status, and key scheduling concerns to relevant stakeholders.

Project Reporting and Performance Analysis

• Prepare weekly and monthly project progress reports.
• Develop executive dashboards, Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports, and management presentations.
• Produce programme updates, progress S-curves, and earned value reports.
• Prepare manpower and equipment histograms to support resource and productivity assessments.
• Analyse construction productivity and schedule performance.
• Present planning status, progress trends, and significant programme issues to senior management and the Client.
• Maintain accurate reporting information to support project reviews and management decisions.
• Highlight delays, programme risks, and recommended recovery measures in project reporting.

Planning Leadership and Team Development

• Lead and mentor planning engineers assigned to infrastructure projects.
• Establish planning procedures, reporting requirements, and project controls standards.
• Provide technical guidance on scheduling methodologies and programme analysis.
• Review planning outputs to maintain consistency and accuracy.
• Coordinate planning activities across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Promote continuous improvement in planning practices and project controls processes.
• Support the development of effective planning and reporting capabilities within the team.

Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP), or equivalent professional certification is preferred.

Required Professional Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in planning and project controls.
• At least five years of experience as a Planning Manager on major infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in roads, utilities, drainage, public realm, transportation, and urban development projects.
• Strong background in construction supervision and consultancy environments.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and monitoring complex infrastructure project programmes.
• Practical experience evaluating contractor schedules, recovery plans, and programme performance.
• Experience with UAE infrastructure projects and local authority requirements is highly desirable.

Technical Skills and Expertise

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience using project controls and reporting software.
• Strong understanding of FIDIC contract conditions and their implications for programme management.
• Knowledge of construction delay analysis techniques and Extension of Time assessments.
• Ability to analyse critical paths, float consumption, productivity, and schedule performance.
• Experience preparing executive dashboards, KPI reports, and management presentations.
• Competence in developing S-curves, earned value reports, and resource histograms.
• Ability to assess contractor baseline programmes and recovery schedules.
• Familiarity with Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital construction platforms, and document management systems is an advantage.

Leadership and Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational capabilities.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Effective communication with clients, contractors, consultants, and senior management.
• Ability to manage competing priorities under demanding project schedules.
• Sound judgment when assessing programme risks and recommending recovery actions.
• Attention to detail in scheduling, progress analysis, and project reporting.
• Ability to coordinate planning activities across multidisciplinary infrastructure teams.
• Professionalism, accuracy, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management and presentation skills.
• Ability to support informed project decisions through reliable programme information.

Recruitment and Onboarding

AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent hiring activity seriously. All newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Employee Benefits and Professional Development

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and disability benefits.
• Paid time off and applicable leave arrangements.
• Employee assistance programmes and well-being resources.
• Business travel insurance and service recognition awards.
• Retirement savings arrangements and employee stock purchase plan participation.
• Voluntary benefits and other employee programmes.
• Flexible work options where applicable.

Project and Career Information

The Planning Manager will play a central role in managing project programmes and monitoring delivery performance across major infrastructure developments. The position requires close coordination with construction supervision teams, contractors, commercial specialists, and project stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate will contribute to effective project controls, programme risk management, and the timely achievement of contractual milestones.

Job Reference

Job Reference: J10155303

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm committed to delivering a better world through advisory, planning, design, engineering, programme management, and construction management services. The company works with public- and private-sector clients across transportation, buildings, water, energy, and environmental infrastructure. Its multidisciplinary teams develop sustainable and resilient solutions to complex engineering and development challenges. With more than 50,000 professionals worldwide, AECOM brings together engineers, planners, designers, scientists, digital innovators, construction managers, and other specialists delivering infrastructure projects. AECOM is a Fortune 500 company that reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. The organization supports professional development, collaboration, and equal employment opportunities. Applicant information is handled confidentially in accordance with its equal employment opportunity guidelines.