Senior Planning Manager - Fit Out Projects

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Retirement plans

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Planning Manager for fit-out projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You will oversee CPM scheduling, integration of MEP coordination, and successful delivery across complex interior finishes.

Lead development of baseline schedules, monitor progress, manage changes, and mentor planning staff. Proficiency in Primavera P6 and earned value management is required, with strong communication to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• 12-15 years of progressive experience in construction project planning and scheduling.
• At least 8 years in senior planning or scheduling management.
• Experience developing and managing CPM schedules for fit-out, interior finishing, and MEP coordination.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain CPM schedules for complex fit-out projects.
• Coordinate scheduling across engineering, procurement, construction, and MEP activities.
• Establish and maintain schedule baselines and manage changes.
• Conduct schedule risk assessments and provide mitigation recommendations.
• Mentor junior planning personnel and support project leadership.

Skills

Primavera P6

CPM scheduling

Resource planning

Earned Value Management

Schedule risk analysis

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Snapshot

• Role: Senior Planning Manager - Fit Out Projects
• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Industry: Construction
• Function: Project Management
• Experience: 12-15 years in construction planning and scheduling, including at least 8 years in senior planning or scheduling management
• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Arrangement: On-site
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Gender: No Preference
• Candidate Nationality: Not specified

Role Overview

AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Planning Manager to oversee planning and scheduling activities for complex fit-out projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role focuses on developing, maintaining, and optimizing construction schedules covering interior finishes, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) coordination, subcontractor activities, and phased project delivery. The Senior Planning Manager will lead the development of Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules, manage schedule baselines, evaluate project progress, and identify risks affecting contractual milestones. Working closely with project teams, contractors, and stakeholders, the successful candidate will ensure that engineering, procurement, and construction activities are effectively coordinated throughout the fit-out project lifecycle. This senior position requires extensive experience in construction scheduling, Primavera P6 or equivalent software, resource planning, earned value management, and schedule risk analysis. The role also involves mentoring planning personnel and providing reliable forecasting and performance information to project leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning and Schedule Development
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive Critical Path Method schedules for complex fit-out projects.
  • Integrate engineering, procurement, construction, interior finishing, and MEP activities into coordinated project schedules.
  • Establish logical activity sequences reflecting trade dependencies and phased delivery requirements.
  • Review drawings, technical specifications, and fit-out design documentation to determine scheduling requirements.
  • Align project schedules with main contract milestones, client expectations, and delivery commitments.
  • Maintain detailed schedules that accurately reflect project scope and execution requirements.
  • Support the development and implementation of fit-out planning and scheduling procedures.
• Critical Path Analysis and Schedule Risk Management
  • Analyze project schedules to identify critical path activities and potential delays.
  • Evaluate schedule risks associated with trade sequencing, subcontractor dependencies, and construction constraints.
  • Identify schedule variances and determine their potential impact on project completion.
  • Recommend corrective actions to address delays and improve schedule performance.
  • Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of schedule recovery measures.
  • Conduct schedule risk assessments to support project planning and forecasting.
  • Provide management with clear recommendations for mitigating scheduling risks.
• Fit-Out and MEP Coordination
  • Coordinate scheduling requirements across multiple construction trades and subcontractors.
  • Integrate interior finishes and MEP installation activities into the overall project schedule.
  • Evaluate dependencies between work packages and phased construction activities.
  • Coordinate schedule inputs from engineering, procurement, construction, and other project departments.
  • Identify sequencing conflicts and recommend practical scheduling adjustments.
  • Monitor subcontractor progress against agreed schedules and project milestones.
  • Support effective coordination of labor resources across concurrent fit-out activities.
• Schedule Baseline and Change Management
  • Establish and maintain project schedule baselines.
  • Ensure schedule integrity throughout the fit-out project lifecycle.
  • Manage schedule updates arising from approved scope changes and project instructions.
  • Incorporate directed changes into relevant scheduling baselines.
  • Evaluate the scheduling implications of scope modifications and construction variations.
  • Support project scope control and change management procedures.
  • Maintain appropriate schedule records to support progress assessment and performance analysis.
  • Apply earned value management principles when evaluating schedule changes and project performance.
• Work Breakdown Structure and Project Coding
  • Develop and maintain the Work Breakdown Structure for assigned fit-out projects.
  • Establish appropriate project coding structures for planning and reporting activities.
  • Maintain consistency of project coding across relevant enterprise applications.
  • Ensure scheduling activities are appropriately organized within the WBS.
  • Coordinate schedule information with project control and reporting requirements.
  • Support accurate tracking of project work packages and associated deliverables.
• Resource Planning and Schedule Optimization
  • Perform resource loading of project schedules.
  • Evaluate labor requirements across multiple trades and phased delivery activities.
  • Analyze resource allocation to identify potential scheduling constraints.
  • Recommend adjustments to improve labor utilization and project sequencing.
  • Assess the relationship between resource availability and critical project milestones.
  • Support resource planning decisions through schedule analysis.
  • Apply forecasting techniques to improve planning effectiveness.
• Progress Monitoring and Performance Measurement
  • Collect and consolidate progress information from project departments and subcontractors.
  • Update project schedules to reflect actual construction progress.
  • Monitor performance against approved baseline schedules.
  • Evaluate schedule trends and identify emerging delivery risks.
  • Conduct performance measurement using appropriate project controls methodologies.
  • Apply earned value management techniques to assess schedule performance.
  • Analyze progress deviations and recommend corrective measures.
  • Maintain reliable scheduling information for management review.
• Contractor and Subcontractor Schedule Management
  • Monitor contractor and subcontractor progress against project schedules.
  • Review subcontractor scheduling information and performance.
  • Evaluate the impact of subcontract activities on overall project milestones.
  • Apply knowledge of construction contracting terms to scheduling assessments.
  • Consider the scheduling implications of fit-out subcontracts and purchase orders.
  • Review relevant contractor invoices as part of project monitoring activities.
  • Identify subcontractor delays and coordinate appropriate follow-up actions.
  • Provide management with recommendations based on contractor performance.
• Cost Analysis and Project Forecasting
  • Apply cost analysis techniques to support planning and scheduling decisions.
  • Evaluate schedule performance in relation to project cost and resource requirements.
  • Support project forecasting through progress measurement and trend analysis.
  • Identify potential cost and schedule implications of construction delays.
  • Provide relevant information to project controls and management teams.
  • Support accurate assessment of anticipated project completion requirements.
• Schedule Reporting and Stakeholder Communication
  • Prepare and maintain comprehensive planning and scheduling reports.
  • Produce schedule updates for clients, project stakeholders, and internal management.
  • Present critical path findings, schedule variances, and recovery recommendations.
  • Communicate progress against key project milestones.
  • Provide scheduling information appropriate to different management and stakeholder levels.
  • Prepare performance analysis and forecasting reports to support project decisions.
  • Maintain accurate supporting data for regular schedule reviews.
• Planning Leadership and Team Development
  • Lead and mentor junior planning and scheduling personnel.
  • Assign planning activities and provide technical guidance on scheduling requirements.
  • Support the development of effective fit-out scheduling practices.
  • Review planning outputs for accuracy and consistency.
  • Guide team members in CPM scheduling, resource analysis, and progress reporting.
  • Coordinate planning activities with multidisciplinary project teams.
  • Promote consistent application of project planning procedures and standards.
• Planning Reviews and Continuous Improvement
  • Lead and participate in project planning and scheduling review meetings.
  • Coordinate discussions on project progress, scheduling constraints, and corrective actions.
  • Evaluate planning processes and recommend improvements.
  • Support the development of scheduling procedures appropriate to fit-out project delivery.
  • Identify opportunities to improve schedule accuracy and reporting effectiveness.
  • Promote consistent planning practices across relevant project activities.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Education
  • Bachelor 's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
• Required Experience
  • 12-15 years of progressive experience in construction project planning and scheduling.
  • At least 8 years of experience in a senior planning or scheduling management role.
  • Extensive experience developing and managing CPM schedules for complex fit-out, interior finishing, and MEP coordination projects.
  • Proven expertise in multi-trade coordination and subcontractor scheduling across phased construction projects.
  • Demonstrated experience developing Work Breakdown Structures and managing project coding.
  • Strong knowledge of construction contracting terms and their scheduling implications.
  • Experience managing schedule baselines, project changes, and scope control.
  • Practical experience applying earned value management and schedule performance analysis.
  • Experience in resource loading, schedule risk assessment, and labor allocation.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor planning personnel and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Technical Skills and Competencies
  • Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent scheduling software.
  • Critical Path Method scheduling and critical path analysis.
  • Construction planning for interior fit-out and MEP coordination.
  • Engineering, procurement, and construction schedule integration.
  • Work Breakdown Structure development and project coding.
  • Baseline schedule management and schedule integrity.
  • Earned Value Management methodology.
  • Schedule performance measurement and variance analysis.
  • Construction resource loading and labor allocation.
  • Schedule risk identification and mitigation.
  • Subcontractor planning and progress monitoring.
  • Construction contract and purchase order scheduling requirements.
  • Scope control and change management.
  • Cost analysis and project forecasting.
  • Technical drawing and specification interpretation.
  • Project controls reporting and schedule documentation.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to prepare comprehensive reports for clients and management.
  • Leadership, mentoring, and multidisciplinary coordination skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Scheduling Professional (CSP) certification.
• Experience integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with construction scheduling processes.
• Knowledge of construction accounting software and invoice management systems.
• Experience delivering commercial interior fit-out or tenant improvement projects.
• Familiarity with different construction scheduling methodologies and planning best practices.
• Experience supporting multiple concurrent projects involving complex dependencies.

Professional Attributes

• Strong analytical judgment when evaluating schedule performance and project risks.
• Ability to manage complex planning requirements across multiple construction trades.
• Effective leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Attention to detail in schedule development, reporting, and forecasting.
• Ability to communicate scheduling issues and corrective recommendations clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative approach to contractor, client, and project team coordination.
• Commitment to accurate project controls and continuous improvement.

Benefits and Professional Development

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage
• Paid time off, leave arrangements
• Employee assistance programs
• Well-being resources
• Retirement savings plans
• Other employee benefits
• Professional training and development programs designed to strengthen technical expertise, project management capabilities, leadership skills, and long-term career progression

Additional Employment Information

• All newly hired AECOM employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
• AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent hiring activity seriously.

Job Reference Information

• Requisition ID: J10161381
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings and Places
• Business Group: DCS
• Strategic Business Unit: Middle East and Africa
• Career Area: Program and Project Management
• Work Location Model: On-site

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing professional services across buildings, transportation, water, environment, and energy. The company works with public- and private-sector clients throughout the project lifecycle, delivering advisory, planning, design, engineering, program management, and construction management services. With a global workforce of more than 50,000 professionals, AECOM brings together engineers, designers, planners, scientists, digital specialists, and project managers to deliver infrastructure solutions that support communities and long-term development. AECOM is a Fortune 500 company that reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. The company promotes equal employment opportunity, collaboration, professional development, and a workplace built on respect.