Planning Manager (Head of Planning )

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Job Description

Parsons is looking for a strategic and detail-oriented Planning Manager (Head of Planning) to lead the planning, scheduling, and progress control functions for a complex airfield/airport infrastructure project.

This senior role requires a deep understanding of project controls, critical path analysis, and construction sequencing across multidisciplinary scopes. With 15 years of experience, the ideal candidate will oversee the development and maintenance of integrated project schedules, ensure alignment with project milestones, and support decision-making through accurate and timely planning data.

What You'll Be Doing;

• Lead the preparation, development, and maintenance of detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 or equivalent tools.
• Establish planning strategies and methodologies that align with contract requirements and project objectives.
• Coordinate with project management, engineering, procurement, and construction teams to develop fully integrated baseline schedules.
• Monitor actual progress against the baseline, identify variances, and evaluate their impact on project timelines.
• Prepare and present regular progress reports, lookahead schedules, and recovery plans when delays are identified.
• Ensure schedule updates reflect current project status, risks, and approved changes.
• Perform critical path, float, and earned value analysis to support project controls and mitigate schedule risks.
• Lead forensic delay analysis and support extension of time (EOT) claims in coordination with contracts and legal teams.
• Develop mitigation and acceleration strategies to keep the project on track.
• Implement and manage planning tools, templates, procedures, and reporting formats.
• Promote best practices in planning, scheduling, and progress measurement across all project phases.
• Ensure consistent planning standards are applied across the project and among subcontractors.
• Coordinate with internal teams, subcontractors, consultants, and client representatives to collect inputs for planning and scheduling.
• Support client reporting requirements and ensure that planning deliverables are submitted accurately and on time.
• Participate in project meetings, progress reviews, and risk workshops as the planning representative.
• Evaluate the time impact of change orders and variation requests.
• Integrate risk assessment outcomes into schedule forecasts and identify potential threats to timeline commitments.
• Work closely with commercial and contract teams to ensure planning data supports financial claims and assessments.
• Lead and mentor a team of planning engineers and schedulers, ensuring quality and consistency in planning deliverables.
• Provide training, guidance, and career development opportunities to junior planning staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability within the planning team.
  
  
  

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Minimum of 15 years of planning experience in large-scale infrastructure projects, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Proven experience on airport, aviation, or airfield construction projects.
• Expert-level proficiency in Primavera P6 and planning/reporting tools (e.g., MS Project, Power BI, Excel).
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, delay analysis techniques, and earned value management (EVM).
• Deep understanding of construction methodologies, sequencing, and interfaces in complex projects.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Certifications such as PMP, PSP, or Prince2.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contract provisions related to program and delay.
• Experience with 4D scheduling and BIM integration.
• Knowledge of risk management tools (e.g., Primavera Risk Analysis).
• Airport project experience, especially involving airside operations and regulatory coordination.
• Ability to lead planning functions in a joint venture or multi-contractor environment.
  
  
  

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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