Senior Planning Manager

Senior Planning Manager Confidential Holding Group

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Reports to: Director of Projects / Group COO / CEO (depending on structure)
Industry: Diversified Family Holding (Real Estate, Construction, Investments)

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Planning Manager to lead the planning, scheduling, and performance monitoring of major group-level projects across multiple business units. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in master planning, project control, and cross-functional coordination, preferably within family-owned or private conglomerates in the GCC.

This is a strategic role requiring close collaboration with executive leadership, technical teams, and external stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules (Primavera P6/MS Project) across the project lifecycle from concept to completion.

• Integrate scope, timelines, and resources into a comprehensive project plan, identifying critical paths and dependencies.

• Support the alignment of project plans with broader group strategy and investment goals.

Performance Monitoring & Control

• Track progress and performance through earned value management (EVM), KPIs, and reporting dashboards.

• Conduct schedule risk analysis and recommend corrective actions where needed.

• Lead delay analysis and extension of time (EOT) assessments.

Strategic Planning & Governance

• Participate in annual and multi-year business planning exercises.

• Coordinate across subsidiaries to consolidate plans and ensure synergy in timelines, resource allocation, and milestone alignment.

• Contribute to feasibility assessments and strategic planning for new developments or ventures.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders (project teams, finance, legal, executive office) and external consultants/contractors.

• Support the leadership team with decision-making data, timelines, and risk assessments.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare executive-level reports, planning documentation, and dashboards for board and senior management reviews.

• Maintain full audit trails of planning decisions and changes to the baseline.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or related field.

• Minimum 10 years of experience, with at least 5 years in a planning or project control leadership role.

• Proven experience in large-scale real estate, construction, infrastructure, or multi-sector project portfolios.

• Strong background in Primavera P6, MS Project, and planning software.

• Familiarity with cost planning, contracts (FIDIC), and project governance is an advantage.

• Experience working in or with family-owned businesses or private investment groups is preferred.

• Strong communication and leadership skills, with ability to manage multiple stakeholders.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation and benefits

• Opportunity to work directly with executive leadership in a strategic role

• Long-term role with high visibility across diversified group activities

• A stable, legacy-driven business environment focused on quality and results