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Senior Planning Manager - Job Opportunity at KEO International Consultants

Abu Dhabi, UAE
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 8, 2025
Hybrid
USD 85,000 - 120,000 per year plus comprehensive benefits package. Senior Planning Manager roles in Abu Dhabi's construction sector typically offer tax-free salaries due to UAE's favorable tax structure, housing allowances, annual flight tickets, and performance bonuses. The total compensation package often reaches USD 130,000 - 150,000 when including benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive professional development through internal global mobility programs that accelerate career advancement across international markets
Company-wide health and well-being support including on-demand counselling services providing 24/7 mental health resources
Regular workplace health clinics offering preventive care and wellness screenings at the workplace
Vibrant community engagement opportunities including corporate sports days, fun-runs, and in-house sports teams that foster team building
Environmental stewardship programs like beach clean-ups that demonstrate corporate social responsibility
Flexible hybrid working arrangements enabling work-life balance and location flexibility
Individual athletic sponsorship programs supporting personal fitness and sports pursuits
Study assistance sponsorship for continued education and professional certifications
Employee referral rewards program that incentivizes quality talent acquisition
Competitive compensation package aligned with international standards for senior roles

Key Responsibilities

Lead the strategic development and management of master schedules for high-value, complex construction projects worth millions of dollars, ensuring optimal resource allocation and timeline adherence
Design and implement comprehensive work breakdown structures and performance measurement systems that drive project efficiency and cost control across multiple stakeholder groups
Orchestrate critical project tracking activities including daily cost compilation, earned value analysis, and productivity assessments that directly impact project profitability
Drive contractor schedule coordination and material procurement oversight, managing complex supply chains and subcontractor relationships to prevent delays and cost overruns
Establish and maintain quality assurance procedures in collaboration with QA/QC teams, ensuring deliverables meet international construction standards
Proactively identify and manage scope changes, providing executive-level visibility into cost impacts and schedule implications that influence strategic decision-making
Execute contract administration responsibilities that protect company interests while maintaining positive client relationships
Provide technical leadership in reviewing and approving contractor work programs, ensuring alignment with project objectives and industry best practices

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Experience

15 years' work experience

Required Skills

Planning, costing and scheduling metrics and tools (work breakdown structure) Collecting performance data (installed quantities, expended labour hours, and other progress measurements for direct hire and subcontract labour) Tracking data (daily cost compilation and monitoring) Analyzing and reporting (earned value, productivity and risk analysis) Developing project master schedule, updating, monitoring and reviewing contractor construction schedules Submittals, material delivery, procurement logs and daily follow-up Productivity measurement studies and associated corrective measures Work Order procedures implementation Contract administration Reviewing and approving contractor's work programs submissions
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Middle East construction and infrastructure sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by Vision 2030 initiatives across GCC countries, with the UAE leading massive urban development projects including NEOM, Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, and Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030. This surge in mega-projects has created intense demand for experienced planning managers who can handle complex, multi-billion dollar developments. Digital transformation in construction project management is accelerating rapidly, with increased adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), AI-powered scheduling tools, and real-time project monitoring systems. Senior planning managers must now integrate traditional project management expertise with advanced digital tools and data analytics capabilities. Sustainability and ESG compliance have become critical factors in project planning, with clients demanding carbon-neutral construction practices and LEED/BREEAM certifications. This trend is particularly pronounced in the UAE where green building regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. The post-pandemic construction industry has embraced hybrid work models and digital collaboration tools, fundamentally changing how project teams coordinate across multiple time zones and geographic locations.

Role Significance

Typically leads a planning team of 5-8 direct reports including junior planners, schedulers, and cost controllers, while coordinating with broader project teams of 50-100 professionals across engineering, procurement, and construction disciplines.
This is a senior leadership position with significant P&L responsibility, typically reporting to Project Directors or General Managers. The role involves managing multi-million dollar project budgets and leading cross-functional teams of 10-20 professionals including schedulers, cost engineers, and project coordinators. Decision-making authority extends to contractor selection, schedule approvals, and change order recommendations.

Key Projects

Master-planned community developments spanning multiple phases over 5-10 year timelines Mixed-use commercial and residential towers exceeding 50 stories Infrastructure projects including metro extensions, highway systems, and airport expansions Hospitality and entertainment complexes integrating multiple building types and systems Industrial facilities including manufacturing plants and logistics centers

Success Factors

Exceptional analytical capabilities combined with strategic thinking to anticipate project risks and develop mitigation strategies before issues impact critical path activities. The ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources and present actionable insights to executive leadership is crucial for success in this role. Advanced stakeholder management skills to coordinate between diverse groups including government authorities, international contractors, local subcontractors, and client representatives. Success requires building trust and maintaining productive relationships even during challenging project phases. Technological adaptability and proficiency with advanced project management software including Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and emerging AI-powered planning tools. The most successful candidates combine traditional planning expertise with digital innovation capabilities. Cultural intelligence and communication skills essential for working in the UAE's multicultural environment, where project teams often include professionals from 20+ nationalities speaking different languages and bringing varied work styles.

Market Demand

High demand with limited qualified candidates. The UAE's ambitious infrastructure development plans have created a talent shortage for experienced planning managers, particularly those with 15+ years of experience in complex projects. International recruitment is common, with companies offering attractive relocation packages.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Earned Value Management (EVM) expertise is absolutely critical as it forms the foundation for project financial control and performance measurement. Mastery of EVM principles enables planning managers to provide early warning of budget overruns and schedule delays, making this skill essential for protecting project profitability and client relationships. Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project is non-negotiable given the complexity of construction scheduling in the Middle East market. These tools are industry standards for managing construction schedules with thousands of activities, complex resource loading, and multiple critical paths. Risk analysis and mitigation capabilities are crucial for success in the UAE's challenging construction environment where factors like extreme weather, regulatory changes, and supply chain disruptions can significantly impact project delivery timelines and costs.

Beneficial Skills

Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration skills are increasingly valuable as the industry moves toward 4D and 5D modeling capabilities that combine scheduling and cost data with 3D building models. Knowledge of Middle East construction regulations, procurement practices, and local contractor capabilities provides significant competitive advantage in navigating the regional business environment. Fluency in Arabic language skills, while not required, can significantly enhance stakeholder relationships and career advancement opportunities in the Gulf region.

Unique Aspects

This role offers exposure to some of the world's most ambitious and technically challenging construction projects, providing unparalleled professional experience in mega-project delivery that few other markets can match.
The position combines traditional project management responsibilities with cutting-edge technology implementation, offering opportunities to pioneer new methodologies in construction planning and scheduling.
Working in the UAE provides unique tax advantages with no personal income tax, allowing professionals to maximize their earning potential while gaining international experience.
KEO's integrated service model means planning managers work closely with world-class architects, engineers, and designers, providing exposure to the complete project lifecycle from concept to completion.

Career Growth

Career advancement to Project Director level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing Senior Planning Managers, with progression to regional leadership roles possible within 5-7 years. The UAE's dynamic construction market and ongoing mega-project development create accelerated advancement opportunities for proven performers.

Potential Next Roles

Project Director positions overseeing multiple concurrent projects with budgets exceeding USD 500 million Regional Planning Manager roles covering Middle East operations for international construction firms Program Manager positions managing portfolio-level planning across business units Independent consulting opportunities serving multiple clients in the GCC region Senior executive roles such as Operations Director or Regional Vice President within major AEP/PMCM firms

Company Overview

KEO International Consultants

KEO International Consultants is a well-established multinational engineering and project management firm with over 60 years of operating history and a strong presence across multiple continents. The company has successfully positioned itself as a comprehensive AEP/PMCM (Architecture/Engineering/Planning and Project Management/Construction Management) firm, offering end-to-end services from conceptual design through project delivery.

KEO holds prestigious industry recognition including ranking among ENR's Top 225 International Design Firms and Top 20 International PM/CM Firms globally. Their #1 ranking in the Middle East by World Architecture's 2024 WA100 Survey demonstrates regional market leadership and establishes them as the premier choice for complex regional projects.
The Abu Dhabi office represents KEO's flagship Middle East operation and serves as a strategic hub for the company's regional expansion. This location provides access to the UAE's massive infrastructure investment pipeline and positions employees at the center of the Middle East's construction boom.
KEO emphasizes innovation and creativity while maintaining a supportive, employee-centric culture. The company's comprehensive benefits package and focus on work-life balance through hybrid arrangements reflects modern workplace expectations and helps attract top international talent to their Middle East operations.
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