Planning Manager – Data Centre Projects

About the role

James L Williams Middle East is looking for an experienced Planning Manager to lead planning and scheduling across multiple data centre and mission‑critical projects in the UAE. The role involves developing planning strategies, overseeing the planning team and ensuring compliance with contractual and client requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Planning Engineers on several projects, maintaining consistent planning standards.
• Develop, maintain and update detailed project schedules in Primavera P6, including resource‑ and cost‑loaded baselines.
• Monitor project progress, identify delays and risks, and support mitigation or recovery plans.
• Prepare and present planning deliverables such as look‑ahead programs, progress reports, and KPI dashboards.
• Coordinate with project managers, subcontractors, consultants and client/main contractor planning teams.
• Review subcontractor schedules and support delay analysis, EOT claims and extension of time processes.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 10–15 years of planning experience in construction, EPC or MEP projects, with mandatory data‑centre project exposure.
• Proven leadership managing planning teams across multiple projects.
• Strong coordination and communication skills with main contractors, consultants and subcontractors.

Required skills

• Primavera P6
• Planning
• Delay Analysis
• Scheduling