Planning Manager

Mace; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace seeks an experienced planning manager to join our life sciences and pharmaceuticals team in Switzerland, supporting the delivery of complex capital projects for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research and advanced manufacturing organisations. You will develop, manage and assure project schedules across feasibility, concept design, procurement, construction and commissioning stages.

Ideal candidates have strong scheduling expertise in regulated environments, with experience in laboratories,

Qualifications

• Experience in planning or project controls within complex, regulated sectors.
• Strong scheduling expertise with Primavera P6 or MS Project.
• Excellent client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Champion safety, quality, compliance and inclusive working.
• Develop integrated project and programme schedules.
• Monitor progress, critical paths, risks and forecasts.
• Provide programme reporting, analysis and stakeholder insights.
• Support bids, tenders, mobilisation and project governance.
• Promote sustainable delivery, assurance and programme efficiencies.
• Drive planning innovation, best practice and knowledge sharing.
• Build client relationships and support team development.

Skills

Scheduling

Project controls

Stakeholder mgmt

Regulated sectors

German language

Travel willingness

Education

Relevant degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

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 Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced planning manager to join our growing life sciences and pharmaceuticals team, supporting the delivery of complex capital projects for leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research and advanced manufacturing organisations.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on some of the industry's most challenging and technically sophisticated programmes, ranging from research and development laboratories, advanced manufacturing and GMP facilities through to highly serviced production, cleanroom and technical environments. Our work spans the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and concept design through procurement, construction, commissioning and operational readiness.

The successful candidate will bring strong project planning and scheduling experience, ideally gained within the life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare or advanced manufacturing sectors. Experience in highly regulated environments, laboratory facilities, cleanrooms, production facilities or other technically complex projects is highly desirable. Candidates from comparable sectors such as advanced technology, data centres, semiconductor, energy or major healthcare projects will also be considered.

Working closely with clients, project managers, designers, contractors and delivery teams, you will play a key role in developing, managing and assuring project schedules, supporting informed decision‑making and enabling successful project outcomes. The role will involve programme development, progress monitoring, performance reporting, schedule risk analysis and the implementation of planning best practice across projects and programmes.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Championing safety, quality, compliance and inclusive working.
• Developing integrated project and programme schedules.
• Monitoring progress, critical paths, risks and forecasts.
• Providing programme reporting, analysis and stakeholder insights.
• Supporting bids, tenders, mobilisation and project governance.
• Promoting sustainable delivery, assurance and programme efficiencies.
• Driving planning innovation, best practice and knowledge sharing.
• Building client relationships and supporting team development.

You’ll Need To Have

• Experience in planning or project controls within complex, regulated sectors.
• Strong scheduling expertise, including Primavera P6 or Microsoft project.
• Excellent client‑facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of project controls, risk, assurance and construction delivery.
• Relevant degree and professional accreditation or working towards.
• Professional German language skills.
• Right to work in the applicable location and willingness to travel as required.

Our values

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

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, 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 fulfil 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.