Head of Planning

Job Specification

Job Purpose

Assure the most effective performance of project controls, specifically project planning and scheduling management, including schedule development and schedule analysis (schedule risk, critical and sub?critical activities, schedule variance). This is achieved through timely execution of key activities and strict compliance with standardised processes.

Job Context and Major Challenges

• Requires the ability to:

  1. Understand key project drivers, define roles and responsibilities, develop communication protocols, and implement planning and scheduling procedures
  2. Identify schedule risks and issues
  3. Anticipate elements of engineering, procurement, and construction that may lead to disputes or claims
  4. Communicate and influence effectively in a multicultural environment to ensure project delivery within the agreed timeframe

• Major challenges include:

  • Completing detailed planning and scheduling assessments, including recovery and rectification plans, under short deadlines and high?pressure conditions
  • Developing and sustaining strong working relationships with EPC contractor planning teams to ensure accurate and timely information for decision?making

Key Job Accountabilities

1. Provide management and technical leadership across all planning and scheduling functions, including schedule risk analysis, reporting, productivity, and impact assessment, by establishing fit?for?purpose project planning and scheduling procedures.
2. Lead and manage the planning and scheduling team, coordinating inputs from engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and interface functions.
3. Ensure contractors and subcontractors implement effective planning and scheduling measures in line with project requirements.
4. Manage the preparation of project control gate deliverables related to planning and scheduling in accordance with the Project Management System.
5. Ensure the effective implementation and ongoing updating of the project planning and scheduling procedures.
6. Coordinate the collection, consolidation, analysis, and reporting of progress measurement and control data to assess overall project status and identify potential problem areas.
7. Conduct schedule delay and impact analysis and review schedule recovery plans, including evaluation of additional resources when required.
8. Ensure all approved project changes are assessed, incorporated, and reflected in the overall schedule stewardship and reporting.
9. Evaluate contractor performance in planning and scheduling, identify discrepancies, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
10. Act as the primary interface between senior project management and EPC contractors on all planning, scheduling, and reporting matters.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Construction Management, or a related discipline

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in project controls for EPC oil and gas capital projects, primarily in planning and scheduling
• Strong knowledge of project controls principles, theories, and practices
• Experience on major projects from both owner and contractor perspectives
• Proven experience managing EPC lump?sum contracts
• Experience working in multicultural environments with large local subcontractors

Technical and Business Skills

• Subject matter expertise in project planning and scheduling
• Proficient in scheduling and risk analysis tools (e.g., Primavera P6, schedule risk analysis software)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain project schedules (Level 1 to Level 4), including logic ties, sequencing, assumptions, and resource loading
• Strong capability in performing schedule analyses using current project data
• Ability to undertake complex tasks and provide guidance to team members
• Proactive approach and ability to deliver timely analysis aligned with project needs
• Strong understanding of cross?functional and organisational interfaces
• Ability to work independently within established procedures while contributing to their improvement
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• Strong negotiation, influencing, analytical, and problem?solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and collaboration skills
• High level of computer literacy, including planning software and standard office applications