Planning Director

Planning Director – Hospitality Projects (Main Contractor)

The Planning Director leads the corporate planning and project controls function for all hospitality construction projects. The role is accountable for schedule governance, contractual time protection, construction sequencing optimization, and portfolio-level performance management.

This position safeguards the company’s contractual commitments, minimizes delay exposure, and ensures successful delivery of complex luxury hotels, resorts, and mixed-use hospitality developments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Corporate Planning Leadership

• Establish enterprise-wide planning standards, methodologies, and reporting systems.
• Govern baseline approvals, change control processes, and schedule compliance across all projects.
• Provide strategic planning input at tender stage including methodology, logistics strategy, phasing, and resource planning.

Project Execution & Controls

• Lead development and validation of fully resource-loaded Primavera P6 baseline programs.
• Oversee integrated schedules covering design, procurement, subcontract packages, MEP coordination, façade works, fit-out, testing & commissioning, and phased handover.
• Drive critical path management, float protection, productivity analysis, and recovery planning.
• Ensure accurate progress measurement and earned value reporting.

Commercial & Contractual Protection

• Lead time-impact analysis, delay analysis, and preparation/review of EOT submissions.
• Provide forensic schedule support for claims, disputes, and arbitration when required.
• Protect contractual entitlements related to time and prolongation costs.
• Advise senior management on schedule-related commercial risks and mitigation strategies.

Performance Reporting & Risk Management

• Provide weekly and monthly executive dashboards highlighting milestone performance, risk exposure, and mitigation actions.
• Conduct schedule risk assessments and scenario modeling.
• Escalate critical delays and propose acceleration or re-sequencing strategies.

Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing planning team across multiple projects.
• Mentor senior planners and ensure consistency in reporting and controls standards.
• Promote accountability, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Construction Management (Master’s preferred).
• 18+ years of progressive planning experience within Tier-1 main contracting organizations.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multiple major projects.
• Demonstrated delivery of luxury hospitality projects with high-end finishes and complex MEP systems.
• Advanced Primavera P6 expertise (mandatory).
• Strong experience in delay analysis methodologies (TIA, window analysis), EOT claims, and construction law.
• GCC or international mega-project experience preferred.