Lead Project Planning Specialist

slihrms; Port Elgin; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working culture

Generous time-off policies

Professional development

Flexible benefits

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Canada is seeking a seasoned Project Controls professional to lead scheduling and cost control across complex engineering/construction programs. You will guide junior planners, ensure baselines, track progress, and report on critical path performance.

The ideal candidate brings 12+ years of cost control experience, strong CPM and earned value skills, and a solid command of Primavera P6 and MS Excel. Hybrid work and professional development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• University degree required (e.g., B.Eng, B.Com).
• 12+ years of cost control experience in engineering/construction projects.
• Experience with project controls systems and reporting tools.
• Expert knowledge of project management techniques, CPM, progress measurement and earned value.
• Prefer Primavera P6 knowledge.
• Proficient in MS Excel and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and mentoring abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with clients and project controls teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, maintenance, and control of project schedules, including baselines and critical path analysis.
• Oversee resource and budget loading of schedules; align with cost and reporting requirements.
• Monitor progress against schedules; identify variances, risks, and milestone impacts.
• Prepare schedule analyses, progress and forecast reports for decision-making.
• Communicate schedule issues, recovery options, and concerns to PM and senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Cost Controllers to maintain integrated cost-schedule control.

Skills

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Cost control

Project scheduling

Critical path method

Earned value

Mentoring

Stakeholder communication

Education

University degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Leads planning and scheduling activities for complex projects, including schedule development, baselining, progress tracking, variance analysis, and reporting. This role supports project decision-making, identifies schedule risks, maintains integrated cost-schedule controls, and provides guidance to junior and intermediate planners.

Your role

• Lead the development, maintenance, and control of project schedules, including baseline setup, updates, logic reviews, and critical path analysis.
• Oversee resource and budget loading of schedules and ensure alignment with project scope, cost, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor project progress against approved schedules and identify schedule variances, trends, risks, and impacts to key milestones.
• Prepare schedule analysis, progress reports, resource requirement reports, and forecast updates to support project decision‑making.
• Communicate critical schedule issues, recovery options, and areas of concern to the Project Manager, Project Controls Manager, and senior stakeholders.
• Issue schedules for internal and external use in accordance with project requirements, governance standards, and approval processes.
• Coordinate with Cost Controllers and other Project Controls team members to maintain an integrated cost‑schedule control system.
• Support progress measurement and earned value reporting across projects and portfolios throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide technical guidance, quality review, and mentoring to junior and intermediate planners to ensure consistent planning practices.
• Support schedule reviews, management reporting, recovery planning, and continuous improvement of planning and scheduling processes.

Other Aspects (If Applicable)

• May require providing technical guidance and informal mentoring to junior and intermediate planners.
• May require coordination across multiple projects, departments, and project control functions.

About you

• University Degree (e.g., B.Eng, B.Com, etc.).
• 12+ years of relevant cost control experience, experience in engineering and construction projects environment.
• Experience with project controls systems and reporting tools.
• Expert Knowledge of project management techniques and several years of hands‑on experience (i.e., critical path method, progress measurement and earned value technique) and experience in Project planning, analyzing and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of the general project controls policies and procedures.
• Preferably thorough knowledge of Primavera P6.
• Proficient in MS office suite of software, especially in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to learn new software as per the company standards.
• Ability to establish priorities and work under pressure to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to work well with Clients and Alliance partners.
• Ability to work with staff, build and maintain good working relationships with Project Controls team.
• Ability to mentor junior and intermediate staff and work with project cost controllers.
• Effective problem‑solving skills with a result‑oriented approach.
• Strong organizational skills are required with attention to detail.
• Solid report writing, communication, and presentation skills.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career at AtkinsRéalis in Canada.

• Enjoy competitive compensation, employee recognition, and a brilliant range of flexible benefits you can tailor to your health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle needs.
• Make the most of diverse opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise.
• And take advantage of our hybrid working culture and generous time‑off policies to balance a fulfilling career with your personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis , a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

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Appropriate accommodation will be provided upon request throughout the recruitment and hiring process as required by Company policy and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).