Project Planning Lead

Your Role

Gensler's London office is seeking an experienced Project Planner to join our team of design thinkers and doers. You will be experienced in handling complex project schedules using Primavera P6, with excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to understand and interpret project timelines and milestones. This is a pivotal role and is accountable to the Project Director.

You will have a comprehensive understanding of the construction planning process, from concept through completion, and possess demonstrable Middle Eastern construction planning experience, having worked on a variety of large-scale projects.

A self-motivated team player with a detail-oriented, communicative and collaborative approach, you will work in partnership with colleagues across Gensler's practice areas not only in the Middle East but Firmwide, as well as with clients, contractors, consultants and stakeholders at all levels.

What You Will Do

• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Primavera P6, ensuring alignment with project objectives and contractual requirements
• Monitor and report on project progress, identifying potential delays and developing mitigation strategies
• Create and distribute comprehensive progress reports, including S-curves, earned value analysis, and critical path analysis
• Lead the planning and scheduling aspects of project meetings with clients, contractors, and consultants
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure resource allocation aligns with project timelines
• Analyze schedule impacts of proposed changes and prepare time impact analyses
• Develop and maintain project baselines, identifying and tracking all critical milestones
• Review and validate contractors' schedules and progress claims
• Prepare recovery schedules when required and monitor their implementation
• Maintain schedule risk registers and conduct schedule risk assessments
• Provide mentoring and guidance to junior planning team members
• Support the claims management process with detailed schedule analysis when required

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of experience in project planning and scheduling, with at least 5 years in Middle Eastern projects
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 is essential
• Experience with major commercial, residential, or mixed-use developments
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies and sequences
• Proven experience in earned value management and critical path analysis
• Knowledge of NEC, FIDIC, and local construction contracts
• Experience in delay analysis and claims support
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills in English; Arabic language skills are highly desired
• Experience with other planning software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asta Powerproject) is advantageous
• PMI-SP or equivalent certification is preferred

This job description reflects the core activities of the role although there will be changes in the emphasis of duties as required from time to time.

Life at Gensler

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical and dental insurance, and annual bonus opportunities.

As part of the firm's commitment to professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional qualifications and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programmes or classes. We view our professional development programmes as strategic investments in our future.