Lead Planner - Oil & Gas Major Project

Location: Qatar Onshore

Contract Duration: 36 months (with possibility of extension)

Start Date: ASAP

Schedule: 10 hours/day, 6 days/week (approx. 26 days/month)

About the Opportunity:

A fantastic opportunity for a highly experienced Lead Planner to join a large-scale onshore energy infrastructure project. You will play a pivotal role in overseeing schedule management, reporting, and project controls across engineering, procurement, and construction phases. This role offers long-term security, professional growth, and the chance to contribute to one of the largest active projects in the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for all planning and scheduling functions, including schedule development, impact analysis, performance tracking, and schedule risk management.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, interface) to support schedule validation and updates.
• Implement project planning procedures and reporting systems to support efficient project execution.
• Monitor contractor performance, analyse productivity trends, and recommend recovery strategies as needed.
• Conduct delay analysis, evaluate schedule impacts of project changes, and incorporate approved changes into master schedules.
• Review and approve project planning deliverables in line with internal project management requirements.
• Ensure contractors and subcontractors execute work in accordance with approved planning methodologies and AWP (Advanced Work Packaging).
• Provide input to project performance reports and gate deliverables.
• Assess the performance of contractor scheduling systems and ensure full integration with the overall project schedule.
• Liaise with project managers and work with contractors to address execution risks and planning gaps.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in planning/scheduling within major projects in the oil and gas industry.
• At least 3 years in a supervisory or lead role within project controls.
• Strong familiarity with EPC contractor planning systems and workface planning methodologies.
• Expertise in schedule software such as Primavera P6 (mandatory - advanced level).
• Skilled in MS Office Suite, Power BI, and project control tools.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Able to influence cross-functional teams and stakeholders in a high-pressure project environment.
• Previous experience working in the Gulf region is desirable.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.