About the Role
Wood is seeking an experienced Lead Planner to join its Projects business. This role will support the development of a new gold mine and processing facility located at a remote site in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the successful planning and execution of this significant project.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary Planning focal point for specific project scopes, ensuring alignment and effective communication.
- Review and maintain planning control structures, ensuring they align with the approved project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
- Review and maintain baseline project plans and schedules using appropriate scheduling software.
- Monitor and control all planning activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Liaise with engineering, procurement, construction functions, and other stakeholders to maintain awareness of project activities, their status, and their impact on the project schedule and manpower requirements.
- Provide project plans, schedules, progress, and performance status reports according to project reporting requirements.
- Review and issue updates to project plans, schedules, and manpower requirements as necessary.
- Monitor and assess the schedule impact of change notifications and ensure timely adjustments.
- Monitor and review overall project progress, track milestone achievement, and evaluate project performance against planned performance.
- Attend internal project progress and performance status meetings as required.
- Liaise with the cost discipline to ensure accurate control and forecasting of man-hour budgets and assess the impact of change requests on schedules.
- Participate in schedule risk analysis and lead Project Controls Compliance and Continuous Improvement Reviews.
- Mentor and support the career development of Planning personnel within the team.
- Ensure project schedules are maintained in accordance with the approved contract and project WBS.
- Ensure project plans and schedules are issued according to the contract reporting calendar and on an as-required basis.
- Verify that all project schedules are fully logic-linked, clearly showing the critical path and total float for all activities.
- Ensure the project schedule is baselined upon client approval of project funding.
- Confirm that all project schedules contain resources in accordance with corporate standards.
- Clearly identify work pack delivery milestones within the project schedules.
- Maintain a standard set of agreed milestones within both the schedule and the cost reporting database.
Qualifications and Experience
- Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree (ISCED level 6) in a relevant technical or business discipline, or equivalent vocational training and/or industry experience.
- A minimum of 15 years of relevant scheduling/planning experience is expected.
- Prior experience in a senior planning role is essential.
Required Skills
- Advanced knowledge of Primavera and other scheduling software, including Logic and CPM analysis, resource loading, and leveling.
- Advanced knowledge of Project Execution Procedures for Scheduling.
- Advanced understanding of WBS & CBS structures and project reporting capabilities.
- Advanced ability to develop project schedules and plans.
- Advanced ability to prepare resource loading, progress, and staffing plans.
- Excellent understanding of earned value application, cost and schedule variance analyses/trending, and what-if scenarios.
- Advanced understanding of project management principles and techniques.
- Strong understanding of Cost Management, Change Control, Planning, and Risk Analysis & Management.
Work Context
This is a full-time position based in Saudi Arabia. The role is integral to a significant project involving the development of a new gold mine and processing facility at a remote site. Wood is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.