Lead Planner

Hill International; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 550,000 - 950,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill International in Saudi Arabia seeks a Lead Planner to drive planning and schedule reporting for the closeout portfolio. You will establish schedule standards, develop integrated schedules, and provide critical path analysis and progress reports to support closeout decisions.

Assignment duration runs through 2026 with potential extension. 20+ years’ planning experience on mega-projects in the region is required; Primavera P6 and advanced Excel are mandatory, with PMP/PMI-SP preferred.

Qualifications

• 20+ years in planning/scheduling with 10+ years on major Saudi Arabia/GCC projects
• Experience on mega-projects with multi-billion SAR portfolios and high contract volume
• Expertise in schedule development, forecasting, critical path and progress measurement
• Proficient in Primavera P6 and advanced Excel
• PM certifications preferred for governance and risk management

Responsibilities

• Own schedule reporting and set reporting cadence for the closeout portfolio
• Develop and maintain integrated schedules for demobilization, preservation and closeout
• Perform critical path, float, and schedule health analysis
• Lead schedule review meetings with project, construction and stakeholders
• Assess schedule updates for accuracy, logic, and progress
• Identify cross-contract dependencies and schedule slippage impacts
• Provide substantiation for claims, disputes and final accounts

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management

PMP/PMI-SP/PSP/AACE certification preferred

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Aconex

SharePoint

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Lead Planner is responsible for driving planning and schedule reporting for the closeout portfolio. This role plays a crucial part in setting schedule standards, developing integrated schedules, and providing critical path analysis and progress reports to support closeout decisions. The Lead Planner will work closely with various teams and stakeholders to ensure effective planning and timely project completion.

Assignment duration: Until the end of 2026, with the possibility of extension.

• Own schedule reporting and set the reporting cycle for the closeout portfolio.
• Establish planning standards, coding requirements, and schedule templates.
• Develop and maintain integrated schedules for demobilization, preservation, and closeout.
• Prepare schedule forecasts, covering milestones, activities, and closure dates.
• Perform critical path analysis, float analysis, and schedule health assessments.
• Lead schedule review meetings with project, construction, and stakeholder teams.
• Assess schedule updates for accuracy, logic, and reported progress.
• Combine contract schedules into a portfolio view, identifying cross-contract dependencies.
• Identify schedule slippage, constraints, and forecast changes, and their impact on closeout objectives.
• Provide schedule substantiation for claims, disputes, and final account reviews.

• Minimum 20 years of planning and scheduling experience, with 10 years in major projects in Saudi Arabia/GCC.
• Experience on mega-projects with multi-billion SAR portfolios and a high volume of contracts.
• Expertise in schedule development, review, forecasting, critical path analysis, and progress measurement.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• PMP, PMI-SP, PSP, AACE, or similar certification is preferred.
• Forensic planning and delay analysis experience is desirable.
• Owner, IPMT, PMC, or major program experience is an asset.
• Expertise in Primavera P6 and advanced Microsoft Excel is mandatory.
• Power BI development and report usage is preferred.
• Strong command of PowerPoint, Aconex, SharePoint, and Microsoft 365.