Planning Manager (Saudi Nationals Only)

About the Role

Nesma & Partners is seeking an experienced and strategic Planning Manager to join their team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role is open to Saudi Nationals only and involves leading and optimizing planning, scheduling, and project controls across a portfolio of major projects. The Planning Manager will be responsible for defining baseline schedules, driving resource optimization, managing delay and risk analyses, and leading a team of planning engineers from tender to project handover.

Key Responsibilities

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

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 5-10 years of relevant experience in planning and project controls.
• Demonstrated experience in leading planning functions for major projects.
• Strong understanding of strategic and master planning for large-scale EPC projects.
• Proficiency in schedule risk assessments, delay analyses, and recovery schedule formulation.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to lead, develop, and mentor a team of planning engineers.
• Strong collaboration and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Excellent analytical skills for progress monitoring and performance reporting.
• Capability to optimize resources and manage capacity constraints effectively.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, requiring a commitment to leading project planning and controls within a dynamic environment focused on major project delivery.

Application Process

Interested Saudi Nationals who meet the qualifications are encouraged to apply for this role.