Planning Manager

Overview

AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Planning Manager based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Planning Manager is responsible for the development, management, and analysis of integrated master schedules for large-scale building construction programs, with a particular emphasis on hospitality, mixed‑use, and complex vertical developments. This role requires strong regional experience within the Middle East, in-depth familiarity with Saudi Arabian regulatory, authority approval, and delivery frameworks, and the capability to manage complex schedule interfaces across multiple design packages, contractors, consultants, and government entities. The Planning Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring project timelines are robust, realistic, and contractually compliant, and fully aligned with construction methodology, engineering design, procurement strategies, and commercial objectives throughout all project phases—from early planning and design through construction, testing, commissioning, and final handover.

Your role

Master Planning & Program Scheduling

• Develop and maintain fully integrated master schedules for large-scale hospitality, mixed-use, and high-rise building programs.

• Incorporate design development, authority approvals, procurement, construction, fit-out, FF&E, testing, commissioning, and handover activities into cohesive schedules.

• Establish schedule logic, critical paths, milestones, and sequencing aligned with large, fast-track delivery models.

Multi-Package & Interface Management

• Manage planning interfaces across multiple work packages, including structure, façades, MEP, interiors, public realm, utilities, and enabling works.

• Coordinate and challenge contractor and consultant schedules to ensure alignment with the program master schedule.

• Integrate inputs from PMC, designers, contractors, specialist trades, and suppliers into a unified planning framework.

Saudi Regulatory & Authority Alignment

• Embed Saudi authority approvals, permitting, and regulatory milestones (e.g., municipal, civil defense, utilities, and relevant ministries) into project schedules.

• Ensure alignment with Saudi construction practices, approval cycles, and compliance requirements.

• Account for religious, cultural, and seasonal considerations impacting program delivery.

Schedule Analysis & Risk Management

• Perform critical path analysis, schedule health checks, what‑if scenarios, and delay impact assessments.

• Identify schedule risks, interface constraints, and potential delays, proposing mitigation and recovery strategies.

• Support schedule risk workshops and contribute to program-level risk and opportunity registers.

Reporting & Stakeholder Communications

• Prepare detailed planning reports, dashboards, and schedule narratives for executive leadership and key stakeholders.

• Present planning status, key risks, and recovery strategies to clients, development partners, and authorities.

• Ensure accurate progress measurement, forecasting, and alignment with cost and commercial reporting.

Governance, Standards & Capability Development

• Establish and maintain planning standards, procedures, and coding structures suitable for large-scale programs.

• Ensure planning deliverables comply with contractual, client, and governance requirements.

• Mentor and guide planners and junior planning staff, supporting capability development within the function.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

• Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, PMI‑SP, AACE, or equivalent) are advantageous.

• At least 12 years of experience in planning and scheduling for large-scale building construction programs, including hospitality and mixed-use developments.

• Proven experience delivering projects within Saudi Arabia, with strong understanding of local regulatory, authority, and delivery environments.

• Demonstrated capability managing multi-contract, multi-stakeholder programs with high complexity and aggressive schedules.

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 (mandatory).

• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, procurement strategies, fit-out sequencing, and phased handover planning.

• Experience with schedule analysis techniques, progress measurement, and schedule recovery planning

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, able to influence senior project and client teams.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage complexity at a program scale.

• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and proactive in identifying risks and solutions.

• Effective communicator within multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes:

• Tax-free salary.

• Comprehensive life insurance coverage.

• Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.

• Generous annual leave balance.

• Flexible and hybrid work solutions.

• Remote work opportunities outside of country.

• Company gratuity scheme.

• Discretionary bonus program.

• Annual flight contribution.

• Relocation assistance.

• Transportation & housing allowances (available for remote work locations).

• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.