Planning Manager - Rail

Mace Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace Group in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Planner/Lead Planner to drive planning standards, master schedules and schedule assurance for major rail infrastructure programs.

You will develop and maintain schedules, align activities with delivery objectives, coordinate inputs from cross-functional teams, and monitor performance against baselines while highlighting risks and opportunities. Experience across rail or metro projects is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in the applicable discipline.
• Demonstrated experience on rail, metro or comparable major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong client-facing, analytical, written communication and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Knowledge of delivery processes, standards, governance for the role.
• Professional membership, chartership or specialist certification preferred where applicable.
• UAE or wider GCC experience is advantageous but should not replace demonstrable technical and delivery competence.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of planning standards, integrated master schedules, critical-path analysis and schedule assurance.
• Develops and maintains project schedules, ensuring activities, milestones and dependencies are aligned with delivery objectives and contractual requirements.
• Coordinates planning inputs across project teams, consultants, contractors and stakeholders, supporting the successful integration of programme activities.
• Monitors progress against approved baselines, tracking performance, identifying variances and highlighting emerging risks and opportunities.
• Produces schedule analysis, critical path assessments and forecast updates, providing timely insights to support project decision-making.
• Supports the integration of planning activities with cost, risk, change and project controls processes to maintain accurate performance reporting.
• Prepares and maintains progress reports, planning deliverables and programme records, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with governance requirements.
• Collaborates with project teams to develop practical delivery programmes that incorporate safety, logistics, procurement, construction and sustainability considerations.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Skills

Planning

Schedule management

Critical path analysis

Stakeholder coordination

Data reporting

Project controls

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent

Job description

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project:

The UAE continues to invest heavily in world-class transportation infrastructure, with rail playing a pivotal role in connecting communities, supporting economic growth and enabling sustainable mobility across the country. From major passenger rail initiatives to freight, metro and integrated transport programmes, the sector is creating exciting opportunities for professionals passionate about delivering complex infrastructure projects.

Whether your expertise lies in project management, programme management, planning, commercial management, engineering, design management, project controls or delivery leadership, we’d be delighted to connect and discuss how your experience could align with upcoming opportunities in this growing sector.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Ownership of planning standards, integrated master schedules, critical-path analysis and schedule assurance.
• Develops and maintains project schedules, ensuring activities, milestones and dependencies are aligned with delivery objectives and contractual requirements.
• Coordinates planning inputs across project teams, consultants, contractors and stakeholders, supporting the successful integration of programme activities.
• Monitors progress against approved baselines, tracking performance, identifying variances and highlighting emerging risks and opportunities.
• Produces schedule analysis, critical path assessments and forecast updates, providing timely insights to support project decision-making.
• Supports the integration of planning activities with cost, risk, change and project controls processes to maintain accurate performance reporting.
• Prepares and maintains progress reports, planning deliverables and programme records, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with governance requirements.
• Collaborates with project teams to develop practical delivery programmes that incorporate safety, logistics, procurement, construction and sustainability considerations.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You’ll need to have:

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in the applicable discipline.
• Demonstrated experience on rail, metro, high-speed rail or comparable major infrastructure programmes.
• Strong client-facing, analytical, written communication and multidisciplinary coordination skills.
• Knowledge of relevant delivery processes, standards, systems and governance for the role.
• Professional membership, chartership or specialist certification preferred where applicable.
• UAE or wider GCC experience is advantageous but should not replace demonstrable technical and delivery competence.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.