Planning Manager (Saudi Nationals Only)

Nesma & Partners; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Nesma & Partners is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead and optimize planning, scheduling, and project controls across a portfolio of major EPC projects in Saudi Arabia. You will define baseline schedules, drive resource optimization, manage risk analyses, and lead a team of planning engineers from tender to handover.

The role requires strong Primavera P6 expertise, 8+ years in planning and controls, and 3+ years in a managerial role, with excellent English communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years total experience in project planning and controls.
• At least 3+ years in a managerial or senior lead role.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and schedule risk analysis.
• Fluency in professional English and strong stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, baseline, and maintain master schedules for large-scale EPC projects.
• Lead, develop and mentor the Project Controls and Planning team.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Procurement, Construction and subcontractors to align interfaces with timelines.
• Oversee weekly/monthly schedule updates, monitor critical paths and publish dashboards.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative schedule risk analyses and recovery schedules.
• Assess workforce and equipment loading and approve resource-loaded baseline programs.
• Assist in tendering by developing bid schedules during the tender phase.

Skills

Stakeholder management

English communication

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Planning Manager to lead and optimize the overall planning, scheduling, and project controls across our portfolio of major projects.

In this role, you will be responsible for defining baseline schedules, driving resource optimization, managing delay and risk analyses, and leading a high-performing team of planning engineers to ensure seamless execution from tender to handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Master Planning: Develop, baseline, and maintain comprehensive master schedules for large-scale EPC projects, ensuring vertical alignment with business objectives and contractual milestones.
• Team Leadership: Lead, develop, and mentor the Project Controls and Planning team, setting clear KPIs and driving operational excellence.
• Interface & Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and external subcontractors to ensure sequencing, work packaging, and interfaces align with target timelines.
• Progress & Performance Monitoring: Oversee weekly/monthly schedule updates, monitor critical paths, review S-curves and histograms, and publish senior management dashboards.
• Risk & Delay Analysis: Perform qualitative and quantitative schedule risk assessments, forensic/delay analyses, and recovery schedule formulations to safeguard project delivery.
• Resource Optimization: Assess workforce and equipment loading, balance capacity constraints, and approve resource-loaded baseline programs.
• Tendering Support: Assist in developing competitive, realistic bid schedules during the tender phase.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline).
• Experience: Minimum 8+ years of total experience in project planning and controls, including at least 3+ years in a managerial or senior lead role.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, delay analysis methodologies, resource leveling, and project management controls.
• Communication: Fluency in professional English with strong presentation and stakeholder management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior tier-1 EPC or mega-project contracting experience in the GCC/Saudi market.
• Master's degree in Engineering or Project Management.
• Professional certifications (PMP, PMI-SP, PSP).
• Professional working proficiency in Arabic.