Field Lead Planner

Bechtel Oil, Gas & Chemicals Incorporated; Zalim; On-site; SAR 299,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent construction firm is looking for a Field Lead Planner to manage the planning and scheduling function on their project in the Makkah Region. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project controls, particularly within Smelter or Refinery projects. Responsibilities include developing project schedules and coordinating with various teams to ensure schedule integrity. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field and a minimum of 10 years' experience are essential. This role promises a dynamic and supportive work environment.

Benefits

Robust benefits package

Career advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ project controls experience emphasizing planning and scheduling.
• Proven experience in Smelter or Refinery projects is mandatory.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and scheduling function at site.
• Integrate engineering, procurement, construction, and start‑up activities into the project schedule.
• Prepare Schedule Impact Reports and lead schedule recovery strategies.

Skills

Planning & Schedule Control

Coordination & Interface Management

Analysis & Reporting

Proficiency in Primavera P6

Data analytics using Power BI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Office Applications

Power BI

Job description

Extraordinary teams building inspiring projects:

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start‑up and operations.

The Ar Rjum Project comprises a green field gold project with three open pit mining operations with associated waste dumps and ore stockpile, a processing plant, tailings management facilities, and supporting infrastructure including water supply, power supply, maintenance facilities, offices, temporary and permanent accommodation village.

The Project is situated within the Central Arabian Gold Region, approximately 200 km north‑east of Taif towards Riyadh and about 26 km south of Al Mouwayh, which is a small town situated on the Jeddah‑Riyadh highway.

Job Summary:

The Field Lead Planner will lead the planning and scheduling function at site, providing advanced expertise in schedule development, analysis, forecasting, and change control. The role is responsible for integrating detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and start‑up activities into a fully aligned project schedule. You will collaborate closely with discipline teams, subcontractors, and project leadership to ensure accurate schedule performance reporting, risk identification, and timely development of recovery plans. This role is key to maintaining schedule integrity and ensuring safe, predictable, and efficient project delivery.

Major Responsibilities:

• Planning & Schedule Control
• Lead the development, maintenance, and analysis of project schedules across all disciplines.
• Supervise schedule duration estimates and validate discipline inputs against project milestones.
• Integrate resources—including quantities, job hours, manpower, and bulk commodities—into the schedule and maintain installation curves.
• Manage resource loading, leveling, and staffing plans consistent with project execution needs.
• Perform critical path analyses, evaluate variances, and report schedule performance across all phases.
• Coordination & Interface Management
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, construction, and subcontractors to obtain accurate schedule inputs.
• Identify schedule restraints, interfaces, and interdisciplinary impacts; recommend solutions.
• Conduct weekly look‑ahead planning and lead monthly schedule review meetings.
• Maintain a register of critical actions, risks, and potential schedule deviations.
• Analysis & Reporting
• Prepare Schedule Impact Reports and lead the development of schedule recovery strategies, including resource and cost impacts.
• Support schedule studies, scenario modelling, and alternative execution analyses.
• Review subcontractor schedules and recommend improvements to ensure alignment with project requirements.
• Present schedule information and insights to project management and client representatives.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years’ project controls experience with strong emphasis on planning and scheduling.
• Advanced understanding of EPCM work processes across engineering, procurement, contracts, construction, and start‑up.
• Proven experience in Smelter or Refinery projects (mandatory).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Important: experience in Smelter, Refinery scope

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency in using multiple discipline‑specific software applications currently used by Bechtel (e.g., Primavera P6, and Microsoft Office Applications).
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organise, direct, perform, review, and present schedule products independently with minimal supervision. This includes using a high level of professional judgement and knowledge related to technical planning and scheduling skills and engineering design, construction, and procurement practices.
• Working knowledge of data analytics software applications such as Power BI.
• Fully proficient in existing data sources, Excel etc.; however all outputs are expected to be provided in Power BI.
• Experience in leading a team of Project Control engineers.
• Prior Middle East work experience is preferred.
• Important: experience in Smelter, Refinery scope

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world’s toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive. Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards.

Diverse teams build the extraordinary:

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

We are committed to being a company where every colleague feels that they belong‑where colleagues feel part of "One Team," respected and rewarded for what they bring, supported in pursuing their goals, invested in our values and purpose, and treated equitably. Click here to learn more about the people who power our legacy.

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e‑mail their request to [e-mail]