Planning Director – Construction & Infrastructure

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Planning Director / Project Controls Director to lead planning, scheduling and performance management across a portfolio of major construction and infrastructure projects in Riyadh. The role will shape integrated planning systems, monitor project health and provide strategic guidance to ensure delivery within scope, schedule, budget and contractual obligations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Planning & Project Controls function across multiple large‑scale projects.
• Develop and implement integrated planning, scheduling and control systems, including baseline schedules, WBS and progress measurement.
• Drive planning activities using Primavera P6 and other project‑control tools.
• Monitor critical paths, milestones, productivity and schedule performance; identify delays and devise mitigation strategies.
• Manage EOT, delay analysis, disruption and claims‑related planning tasks.
• Review contractors’ schedules and recovery programmes.
• Coordinate budgets, cost forecasts and cash‑flow projections with Commercial and Finance teams.
• Implement Earned Value Management (EVM/EVA) and project performance KPIs.
• Prepare executive dashboards, performance reports and management presentations.
• Lead and develop planning, scheduling and cost‑control teams.
• Support tender, pre‑award planning, mobilisation and baseline programme development.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements and FIDIC‑based contract administration.

Required profile

• Minimum 18 years of experience in construction planning, project controls or project management.
• Extensive experience on large‑scale building, infrastructure, utilities or mega‑construction projects.
• Strong GCC experience, preferably Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Kuwait.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects or large portfolios.
• Demonstrated leadership of planning and project‑controls teams.

Required skills

• Primavera P6
• Earned Value Management (EVM/EVA)
• Project‑control software and digital project‑controls tools
• ERP integration for project controls
• FIDIC contract administration knowledge