Project Planning Manager - UAE

James L Williams Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 402,000 - 670,000; Full time

Job summary

James L. Williams Middle East is seeking an experienced Project Planning Manager to support the planning and scheduling activities across our data center projects.

You will develop and maintain detailed project schedules, monitor progress, and ensure compliance with client and contract requirements. You will lead planning deliverables, coordinate with project managers, site teams, subcontractors and consultants, and manage risks, delays, and EOT claims in coordination with the Commercial team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 10–15 years of planning experience in construction, EPC, or MEP projects.
• Experience on data center projects is mandatory.
• Strong knowledge of Primavera P6.
• Experience preparing baseline schedules and planning reports.
• Experience coordinating with main contractors, consultants and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 per contract requirements.
• Prepare resource-loaded and cost-loaded baseline programs with PM and Commercial team.
• Ensure timely submission and approval of baseline schedules with client/main contractor.

Skills

Project scheduling

Stakeholder coordination

Risk management

Progress reporting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Office

Job description

James L. Williams Middle East is seeking an experienced Project Planning Manager to support the planning and scheduling activities across our data center projects.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining project schedules, monitoring progress, supporting project controls, and ensuring compliance with client and contract requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 in accordance with contract requirements.
• Prepare resource-loaded and cost-loaded baseline programs in coordination with the Project Manager and Commercial team.
• Ensure timely submission and approval of baseline schedules with the client and/or main contractor.

Schedule Monitoring & Updates

• Monitor project progress and update schedules regularly based on site inputs.
• Identify delays, variances, and potential risks impacting the project schedule.
• Support the implementation of mitigation or recovery plans where required.

Planning Deliverables & Reporting

Prepare And Maintain Planning Deliverables Including

• Resource and equipment histograms
• Look-ahead programs
• Weekly and monthly progress reports
• Engineering and procurement trackers
• Project KPIs and progress dashboards

Coordination with Project Stakeholders

• Coordinate with Project Managers, site teams, subcontractors, and consultants to gather progress data and planning inputs.
• Liaise with the Client/Main Contractor planning team for review and approval of schedules and program updates.
• Attend weekly progress meetings and planning meetings.

Risk & Delay Monitoring

• Identify schedule risks, delays, and potential impacts to project milestones.
• Support the preparation of delay notices, schedule impact analysis, and Extension of Time (EOT) claims in coordination with the Commercial team.

Subcontractor Planning Management

• Review subcontractor schedules and ensure alignment with the approved project baseline program.
• Monitor subcontractor progress and highlight deviations from the schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• 10–15 years of planning experience in construction, EPC, or MEP projects
• Experience working on data center projects is mandatory
• Strong knowledge of Primavera P6
• Experience preparing baseline schedules, progress updates, and planning reports
• Experience working with main contractors, consultants, and subcontractors on large-scale projects
• Good understanding of delay analysis and Extension of Time (EOT) processes
• Strong coordination and communication skills