Planning Manager - Infrastructure Projects

AECOM Corporation; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Professional development programs

Leave benefits

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead the planning, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting activities for large-scale infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The role requires extensive expertise in Primavera P6 and a strong understanding of contractual scheduling requirements.

The successful candidate will coordinate planning across design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover, working closely with clients and stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) or PMP preferred.
• Minimum 15 years in project planning and controls with 5+ years as Planning Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and maintenance of integrated master programmes using Primavera P6 or equivalent.
• Review contractor baseline programmes, revised schedules, and recovery plans.
• Ensure schedules meet contractual milestones and project objectives.
• Coordinate planning across design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning, and handover.
• Prepare weekly/monthly progress reports, dashboards, and KPI analyses.
• Mentor planning engineers and establish standardized planning practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Excel

BIM

Job description

Planning Manager – Infrastructure Projects

Job Snapshot – Role: Planning Manager – 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 a Planning Manager on major infrastructure projects – Job Type: Full Time – Work Arrangement: On-site

AECOM is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting activities for large-scale infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The position is responsible for developing integrated project programmes, maintaining effective project controls, evaluating schedule performance, and identifying risks that could affect project delivery. The Planning Manager will work closely with the Client, Project Director, Resident Engineers, contractors, commercial teams, and other stakeholders to coordinate planning activities across design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning, handover, and project closeout. This senior position requires extensive experience in infrastructure planning and construction supervision, advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, and a strong understanding of contractual scheduling requirements, delay analysis, and project performance reporting.

Job Details – Country: United Arab Emirates – City: Abu Dhabi – Industry: Civil Engineering – Function: Project Management – Salary: Not disclosed – Gender: No Preference – Candidate Nationality: Not specified – Job Type: Full Time – Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Scheduling

• Lead the development, maintenance, and regular updating of integrated project master programmes using Primavera P6 or equivalent planning software.
• Review and evaluate contractor baseline programmes, revised schedules, and proposed recovery plans.
• Ensure project schedules reflect contractual milestones, delivery requirements, and established project objectives.
• Integrate design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning, and handover activities into coordinated project programmes.
• Establish consistent planning practices to support effective programme management throughout the project lifecycle.

Progress Monitoring and Project Controls

• Monitor actual project progress against approved baseline programmes and established performance targets.
• Analyse critical paths, schedule variances, float consumption, productivity trends, and overall programme performance.
• Identify potential delays and recommend corrective actions or recovery measures to support project objectives.
• Develop look-ahead programmes and monitor the achievement of critical milestones.
• Evaluate project scheduling information to support timely management decisions and effective project controls.

Risk and Delay Management

• Identify programme‑related risks, scheduling constraints, and potential delays affecting project delivery.
• Conduct delay analysis and evaluate the impact of changes or disruptions on project schedules.
• Support the assessment of Extension of Time (EOT) claims through appropriate schedule analysis and supporting documentation.
• Maintain programme risk registers and coordinate the development of mitigation measures.
• Provide planning input to help project teams understand and address emerging schedule risks.

Stakeholder and Project Coordination

• Coordinate planning and scheduling activities with the Client, contractors, consultants, relevant authorities, and utility providers.
• Work closely with the Project Director, Resident Engineers, and commercial teams to maintain alignment between project schedules and construction activities.
• Participate in project progress meetings, technical workshops, and coordination discussions.
• Communicate programme requirements, scheduling concerns, and proposed recovery measures to relevant stakeholders.
• Support coordination between project disciplines to ensure planning activities reflect actual execution requirements.

Project Reporting and Performance Analysis

• Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports, executive dashboards, key performance indicator reports, and management presentations.
• Produce updated project programmes, S‑curves, earned value reports, manpower and equipment histograms, and productivity analyses.
• Evaluate schedule performance and communicate significant deviations from planned progress.
• Present programme status, critical scheduling issues, and recommended actions to senior management and the Client.
• Maintain consistent reporting standards to support accurate project performance monitoring.

Planning Team Leadership

• Lead, guide, and mentor planning engineers involved in project scheduling and controls.
• Establish planning procedures, reporting standards, and programme monitoring practices across the project.
• Coordinate planning team activities to support accurate scheduling, reporting, and project performance analysis.
• Promote continuous improvement in planning methodologies and project controls processes.
• Support effective communication and collaboration between planning personnel and multidisciplinary project teams.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in project planning and project controls.
• At least 5 years of experience working as a Planning Manager on major infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience involving roads, utilities, drainage, public realm, transportation, and urban development projects.
• Strong professional background in construction supervision and consultancy environments.
• Experience working on infrastructure projects in the UAE, including familiarity with relevant authority requirements, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex project programmes and coordinate scheduling activities across multiple project disciplines.

Technical Knowledge and Systems

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, and project controls software.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and their application to project planning and scheduling activities.
• Experience with construction delay analysis, Extension of Time assessments, and schedule impact evaluation.
• Ability to prepare and interpret executive dashboards, project KPIs, and detailed schedule performance reports.
• Practical experience producing S‑curves, earned value reports, resource histograms, and productivity analyses.
• Familiarity with Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital construction platforms, and document management systems is an advantage.

Leadership and Management Competencies

• Strong analytical abilities and a structured approach to planning, scheduling, and problem‑solving.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, including the ability to mentor planning engineers.
• Effective communication, presentation, and stakeholder coordination capabilities.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities under demanding project schedules.
• High standards of accuracy, professionalism, and accountability in project reporting.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and effective project controls practices.

Recruitment and Onboarding Requirements

AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent hiring activities 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

AECOM offers a comprehensive range of employee benefits, subject to employment status and applicable eligibility requirements. These may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, paid time off, leave benefits, employee assistance programmes, well‑being resources, business travel insurance, retirement savings arrangements, and other available benefits. The company supports professional development through training programmes, technical knowledge sharing, and collaboration with experienced professionals across its international infrastructure operations. Employees have opportunities to contribute to projects involving multidisciplinary engineering, planning, design, and construction management teams while developing their technical and leadership capabilities.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and professional services firm committed to delivering a better world. The company provides integrated solutions across transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings, supporting public‑and‑private‑sector clients throughout the project lifecycle. Its services include advisory, planning, design, engineering, programme management, and construction management, with a focus on developing innovative, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure solutions. AECOM brings together more than 50,000 professionals worldwide, including engineers, planners, designers, scientists, digital specialists, and construction management professionals. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. The organization promotes professional development, collaboration, and equal employment opportunities while working to address complex infrastructure challenges around the world.