Planning Manager

About us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose:

The Planning Manager will be responsible for developing, managing and monitoring integrated master programmes across large-scale real estate and master development projects in Saudi Arabia. The role will oversee project planning and scheduling across the full development lifecycle, ensuring alignment between design, authority approvals, procurement, tendering, construction and handover.

The position requires strong technical expertise in project planning, programme management, delay analysis and project controls, alongside the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and provide accurate, timely reporting to senior management.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Scheduling

• Develop and maintain integrated master development programmes covering the complete project lifecycle, from initiation and design development through construction and handover.

• Establish project baselines, milestones, critical paths and key deliverables in line with approved project objectives.

• Prepare detailed project schedules and ensure alignment across design, infrastructure, procurement, construction and handover activities.

• Monitor programme progress against approved schedules, identify deviations and recommend corrective actions.

• Develop recovery programmes and mitigation strategies to address delays and protect key project milestones.

Programme Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor progress across multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring adherence to approved timelines and delivery objectives.

• Prepare periodic progress reports, dashboards, schedule updates and executive-level presentations.

• Analyse schedule variances, identify critical delays and assess their impact on overall project delivery.

• Provide management with clear visibility of programme performance, key risks, dependencies and potential delays.

• Establish consistent planning, reporting and project controls processes across the development portfolio.

Project Controls and Delay Analysis

• Conduct critical-path analysis, schedule risk assessments and delay impact assessments.

• Identify potential programme risks and develop mitigation plans in coordination with project teams.

• Review Extension of Time (EOT) submissions, delay claims and supporting programme documentation.

• Support the evaluation of contractor and consultant schedules, progress updates and recovery plans.

• Maintain accurate records of programme changes, delays, milestones and schedule-related decisions.

Design, Procurement and Construction Coordination

• Coordinate with Development, Design, Commercial, Procurement and Construction teams to ensure integrated programme planning.

• Monitor design deliverables, authority approvals, NOCs, procurement activities and tender milestones against the overall master programme.

• Identify dependencies and potential bottlenecks between project phases and stakeholder deliverables.

• Review consultant and contractor programmes to ensure alignment with approved project schedules and contractual milestones.

• Support the timely resolution of programme-related issues affecting project delivery.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors and project management teams to maintain programme alignment.

• Facilitate planning meetings and progress reviews to monitor performance, resolve scheduling conflicts and agree corrective actions.

• Communicate programme risks, delays and recovery strategies to senior management.

• Ensure accountability for agreed milestones and deliverables across all relevant stakeholders.

Process Improvement and Governance

• Establish and maintain standardised planning methodologies, scheduling procedures and reporting frameworks.

• Ensure programme information is accurate, consistent and regularly updated.

• Drive continuous improvement in planning practices, project controls and reporting efficiency.

• Support the implementation of best practices in project planning, scheduling and programme management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.

• 10–15 years of relevant experience in project planning, scheduling and project controls within real estate development, master developments or large-scale construction projects.

• Demonstrated experience managing programmes for mixed-use developments, master communities, residential projects, horizontal infrastructure and high-rise buildings.

• Strong understanding of the full development lifecycle, including design, authority approvals, procurement, tendering, construction and handover.

• Proven experience developing and managing integrated master programmes across multiple projects and workstreams.

• Experience in schedule risk analysis, critical-path management, delay analysis, EOT assessments and recovery planning.

• Previous experience working in Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC region is strongly preferred.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and reporting programme performance to senior management.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 is essential.

• Strong knowledge of project scheduling, baseline management, progress measurement and schedule forecasting.

• Expertise in critical-path analysis, delay analysis, recovery scheduling and programme risk management.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and project reporting tools.

• Ability to interpret project schedules, technical documentation, progress reports and contractual milestones.

Additional Details

Office location - Riyadh, KSA

Work hours - 40

This position is aligned with local workforce requirements in Saudi Arabia and is intended for candidates eligible to work under the applicable Saudization regulations.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.