Strategic Planning Director for Large-Scale Projects

Vanderlande Industries; Dubai; On-site; AED 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderlande Industries is seeking a Head of Planning to lead the planning function across a large multi-disciplinary project in the UAE. You will drive integrated scheduling, risk mitigation and commercial alignment, coordinating with contracts, risk, finance and operations to deliver on contractual milestones.

You will shape the planning strategy, mentor the team, and present schedule performance to executives and customers, ensuring the project schedule is robust and aligned with the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of project planning experience with at least 3 in a leadership role.
• Proven experience with FIDIC contracts on large-scale infrastructure or industrial projects.
• Expert-level Primavera P6, including CPM, TIA, EVM and resource loading.
• AACE PSP or equivalent certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategically shape the planning function and align with broader business goals.
• Identify opportunities through planning insights and operational foresight.
• Lead change initiatives and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate with contract and risk managers to align schedules and risk strategies.
• Support EOT claims, variation orders and contractual notices.
• Develop and mentor the planning team and standardize tools.
• Oversee integrated master schedules using Primavera P6 across phases.
• Ensure schedules align from design to testing stages.
• Review critical-path analyses and schedule risk evaluations.
• Lead EV M implementation and provide forecast reporting.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Stakeholder management

Contract law & risk management

Negotiation skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Project management systems

Team development

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Contract management tools

Job description

Vanderlande Industries is seeking a Head of Planning to lead the planning function across a large multi-disciplinary project in the UAE. You will drive integrated scheduling, risk mitigation and commercial alignment, coordinating with contracts, risk, finance and operations to deliver on contractual milestones.

You will shape the planning strategy, mentor the team, and present schedule performance to executives and customers, ensuring the project schedule is robust and aligned with the