Senior Specialist, Project Planning and Cost Control II

Maaden; Turayf; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mining company in Saudi Arabia is hiring a Senior Specialist in Project Planning and Cost Control. This role focuses on providing cost control services for major capital projects through proactive reporting and forecasting. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in engineering, a minimum of five years in project planning, and expertise in using Primavera software. Strong leadership skills and a results-oriented approach are essential, as well as the ability to analyze and mitigate project risks.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project planning and cost control.
• Proficiency in using Primavera software for project planning and scheduling.
• Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) are an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning and scheduling, ensuring alignment with strategies.
• Monitor and control project costs, identifying potential cost overruns.
• Conduct regular progress reviews and provide accurate status updates.

Skills

Expert in analysis and modelling of engineering components, systems, processes

Effective leadership and management skills

Ability to deal with unknowns and combine unrelated data

Expert knowledge of technical trends

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Certifications in project management or cost control

Tools

Primavera software

Job description

Senior Specialist, Project Planning and Cost Control II

Job Purpose: Provide a cost control service for (major) capital projects through effective cost control measures, forecasting and pro‑active reporting.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor of Engineering (specific discipline) + 2 years as Lead Engineer
• Master of Engineering (specific discipline) + 2 years as Lead Engineer
• PhD + 1.5 years as Lead Engineer
• Certification in cost control (e.g., CCT or CCP)

Experience: 4–10 years as Engineer (subject to qualification). International experience is an advantage.

Skills

• Expert in analysis and modelling of engineering components, systems, processes
• Effective leadership and management skills
• Ability to deal with unknowns and combine unrelated data to create new insight
• Expert discipline knowledge
• Strategic thinking
• Design thinking
• Expert knowledge of technical trends, interpretation and application of industry knowledge
• Creating and innovating
• Discernment
• Expert competence performing risk management/analysis
• Leading portfolios of projects
• Resilience
• Intercultural intelligence
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Expert analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Results driven (meeting customer expectations)
• Research and development
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Expert persuading and influencing skills
• Ability to think and interact globally
• Change agent
• Expert in conceptualising engineering components, systems

Key Accountabilities

• Consistently deliver solutions that contribute to business results and improved competitiveness
• Deliver quality solutions/service cost‑effectively on time and within risk parameters
• Provide advice that is generally accepted and implemented on programmes and systems, creating a competitive advantage for the organization
• Continuously develop extensive knowledge relating to the field of work and personal mastery in technical skills application
• Deliver cost‑effective results
• Deliver risk results
• HSE targets
• Conduct research & development that leads to new solutions being implemented in the organization
• Develop, update and implement the cost‑control plan on projects
• Responsible for developing a quality control base for the estimate with cost control for all projects
• Change‑control driven effectively on project to negate late reporting or payments
• Ensure cost‑control requirements are incorporated in ITB, RFC documents
• Ensure governance in cost‑control on projects
• Generate monthly cost‑flow forecasts in collaboration with the project team
• Generate cost reports on projects and studies
• Perform man‑hour control and forecasting in line with schedule
• Ensure cost reports are pro‑actively updated within the specified quality and timelines
• Ensure the close‑out of projects in systems
• Accept and implement advice given on methodology and systems
• Pro‑actively capture project risk in risk register
• Plan budgets
• Classify costs by type
• Verify supplier invoices
• Manage change events that impact the budget
• Responsible for cost‑control component in gate reviews on all projects
• Ensure plan for control requirements fits project needs
• Establish and ensure that professional standards for service provision are met
• Resolve work obstacles and issues positively and quickly or elevate to next level for assistance
• Adapt to changing business and work requirements, solve problems, provide data on time
• Make a full contribution to statutory compliance and management
• Analyse expenses and identify opportunities to save cost

Leadership & Management

• Understand, support and live Ma'aden vision, values and goals
• Expert utilisation & direction through selling and obtaining support for value‑adding ideas
• Takes accountability for personal improvement, skill development and effectiveness
• Expertise transfer, sharing and development
• Plan and project management
• Establish policies, practices, standards, procedures and methods; application, review and development
• Deliver expert solutions as a thought leader to meet changing business & work requirements through trends, analysis, problem solving and quality decision making
• Process and risk impact, reporting and corrective action
• Extract, capture and disseminate knowledge within knowledge‑management standards
• Get results through empowering others to act
• Mentor
• Ensure team motivation and team wellness
• Live company values and ensure compliance of team to the values
• Apply new ideas and work methods and opportunities for improving business results through team engagement

Safety

• Safety advocate – anywhere and everywhere
• Expert knowledge and application of HSE rules and procedures
• Advanced knowledge of applicable HSE legislation and regulations and its practical implications
• Concern for employees' wellbeing
• Ability to foster a safety culture
• Drive and facilitate Ma'aden Safety Culture Transformation Program

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning and scheduling, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies and goals
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including resource allocation and task dependencies
• Monitor and control project costs, identifying potential cost overruns and implementing cost‑saving measures
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure effective project execution and timely delivery
• Conduct regular progress reviews and provide accurate status updates to stakeholders
• Identify and mitigate project risks, developing contingency plans as needed
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices in project planning and cost control
• Mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in project management tools and techniques

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project planning and cost control, preferably in the mining or construction industry
• Proficiency in using Primavera software for project planning and scheduling
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to make data‑driven decisions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to collaborate effectively with diverse teams
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Familiarity with industry‑specific regulations and standards is preferred
• Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or cost control (e.g., CCPM) are an asset
• Experience in a similar role within a large‑scale organization is advantageous
• A proactive and results‑oriented approach to work, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement