Head of Planning

About the Role

Airswift is a global workforce solutions provider specializing in the energy, process, and infrastructure sectors, supporting clients by delivering top-tier talent perfectly matched to project requirements. With over 1,000 employees and 9,000 contractors across 70+ countries, Airswift stands as an industry leader in geographic reach and talent availability.

We seek a Head of Planning to join a major Oil & Gas company in Doha, Qatar.

Job Purpose

The role is focused on optimizing project controls through effective planning and scheduling management. This includes schedule development, schedule risk evaluation, tracking critical and sub-critical activities, and variance analysis, ensuring timely completion of key actions aligned with standardized processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in disciplines such as Business, Accounting, Commercial, Marketing, Sciences, Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, Law, Communication, Technology, Mathematics, or Statistics.
• At least 10 years of experience in business planning, including 6 years specific to the Oil & Gas industry.
• A minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or oversight capacity, managing contractors or subcontractors.
• Proven background in major project environments from Owner or Contractor viewpoints, handling EPC Lump Sum Contracts and collaborating with diverse multi-cultural teams and major local subcontractors.
• Subject matter expertise in project planning and scheduling with proficiency in tools such as Primavera and schedule risk analysis software (e.g., Acumen, Primavera Risk Analysis).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical guidance over all planning and scheduling functions, including schedule risk, analysis, reporting, resources management, productivity, schedule impact assessment, and overall management.
• Develop and enforce project control planning procedures, guidelines, and flow charts tailored to project needs to aid management decision-making.
• Oversee the project planning/scheduling team and coordinate inputs across project management teams, including engineering, procurement, construction, completion, and interface functions.
• Ensure contractors and subcontractors implement effective planning and scheduling practices.
• Manage preparation of project control deliverables, specifically planning and scheduling, aligned with the Company Project Management System.
• Maintain and update Project Planning/Scheduling procedures to guarantee effectiveness.
• Coordinate data collection, consolidation, analysis, and reporting to monitor project status and identify potential issues.
• Perform schedule delay and impact analyses, review recovery plans, and assess necessary additional resources.
• Handle project changes by ensuring impacts are assessed, incorporated, and reported accurately within the schedule.
• Evaluate contractor performance regarding planning and scheduling, ensuring discrepancies are addressed and appropriate systems are in use.
• Serve as the liaison between the Division Manager and EPC contractor concerning project controls, scheduling, and reporting.