Planning Manager - Infrastructure Projects

Planning Manager - Infrastructure Projects Contract State/Province: Abu Dhabi Business Group: DCS Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED - AL AIN Business Line: Water Work Location Model: On-Site Operating Group: International Primary Location: AE - Al Ain, UAE - Al Ain Square - S Company Description Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Summary The Planning Manager is responsible for leading all project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting activities for large-scale infrastructure projects. The role ensures effective project controls by developing and maintaining integrated project programmes, monitoring progress, identifying risks, and supporting timely decision-making to achieve project objectives. The Planning Manager works closely with the Client, Project Director, Resident Engineers, contractors, commercial teams, and stakeholders to ensure accurate programme management throughout design, construction, testing & commissioning, handover, and project close-out. Key Job Duties 1. Project Planning & Scheduling Develop, maintain, and update the project master programme using Primavera P6 or equivalent planning software. Review and assess contractor baseline programmes, recovery plans, and revised schedules. Ensure programme compliance with contractual milestones and project objectives. Integrate design, procurement, construction, testing & commissioning, and handover activities into the project programme. 2. Progress Monitoring & Project Controls Monitor project progress against the approved baseline programme. Analyse schedule performance, critical paths, float consumption, and productivity trends. Identify delays and recommend corrective and recovery measures. Prepare look-ahead programmes and monitor milestone achievement. 3. Risk & Delay Management Identify programme risks and potential delays. Perform delay analysis and assess schedule impacts. Support the evaluation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims. Maintain programme risk registers and mitigation plans. 4. Stakeholder Coordination Coordinate planning activities with the Client, contractors, consultants, authorities, and utility providers. Participate in progress meetings, technical workshops, and project coordination meetings. Ensure alignment between planning activities and project execution. 5. Reporting & Performance Analysis Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports, executive dashboards, KPI reports, and management presentations. Produce programme updates, S-curves, earned value reports, manpower and equipment histograms, and productivity analyses. Present planning status and key issues to senior management and the Client. 6. Leadership & Team Management Lead and mentor project planning engineers. Establish planning procedures and reporting standards across the project. Promote continuous improvement in planning methodologies and project controls.

Required Qualifications & Experience Education Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline. PMP, PMI-SP, or equivalent professional