Lead Project Planner

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the high-level timeline and Structuring Phase programme, track, monitor, and forecast progress of all activities, and communicate deadlines and tasks to team members.
• Compile and prepare the overall master project schedule for the Delivery Phase, integrating the standard Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and incorporating critical milestones and contractual notifications.
• Provide resource (man-hours) estimation and prepare planning-related contract schedules for the head EPC, suppliers, and contractors.
• Assist the Supply Chain team with quotation documents, final Purchase Orders, and contract/tender evaluations by reviewing and analyzing schedules, manpower, and machinery requirements.
• Coordinate with the engineering team on planning for engineering documents, MDL alignment, and preparation of engineering progress reports.
• Support the Project Manager in planning and preparing for Gate Reviews.
• Report project progress through inputs for bi-weekly progress reports and 4-week look-ahead reports.
• Compile the Programme Memorandum Basis, consolidating all relevant project information.
• Support and monitor the Delivery / Execution Phase of Projects, including reviewing contractor baseline schedules, updating project schedules, and forecasting upcoming activities.
• Coordinate with analyst project planners to ensure contractor information is incorporated into the master schedule and ensure site project planner follows policies and templates.
• Support documentation for EPC contracts, supplier and subcontractor RFQs, and final Purchase Orders.
• Track, monitor, and forecast project progress, analyze gaps, highlight concerns, and propose recovery plans.
• Report progress for client and internal reports, including critical path analysis, milestones, and cash flow milestones.
• Support project manager with Gate Review planning, risk analysis, and preparation.
• Provide planning training for new team members and assist in compiling the Overall Master Project Programme and baseline preparation.
• Review contractor planning packages, verify input quality, prepare daily construction reports, and update construction KPI dashboards.
• Coordinate and integrate contractor schedules into the master programme, perform histogram analysis, and track site activities daily.
• Highlight deviations, issue site-aheads, analyze progress gaps, and propose recovery plans.
• Report project progress including internal and external extension of time (EoT) claims, milestones, and look-ahead reports.

Requirements

• Formal Technical Qualification in Engineering, Construction, or Project Management.
• 8+ years of project planning and scheduling experience in an EPC organization.
• Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of Planning Tools such as Primavera, MS Projects, and MS Office.
• Ability to do detailed activity breakdowns of construction work, including installation rates, durations, and manpower requirements.
• Availability to move close to the project site.
• Advanced and practical knowledge of Project Planning, Project Management, and Document Management tools.
• Ability to be operational while analytical.
• Ability to lead and guide project teams by providing relevant and timely information for decision making.
• Practical experience and know-how on project constructability and sequencing, including contractual interfaces.

Nice to Have

• Experience with project constructability and sequencing.
• Ability to handle contractual interfaces and manage project risks.

Qualifications

• Formal technical qualification in engineering, construction, or project management.

Benefits & Perks

• Challenging and interesting position in a growing industry.
• Part of a flexible, diverse, and international working environment.
• Opportunity to work with highly competent and committed colleagues.
• Company values diversity and equal opportunity employment.