Senior Project Planning and Cost Control

Role Overview

Senior Project Planning and Cost Control position with Wood PLC, a market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions in the oil, gas, and new energies sectors. This role is based within Wood's Oil, Gas & New Energies business, which delivers large and complex projects for national and international energy companies globally.

Company Overview

Wood PLC's Oil, Gas & New Energies business is built on a strong legacy of delivering large and complex projects across the globe. The business has experienced teams, a proven delivery model, and a strong reputation as the market leader in integrated and innovative solutions for oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids, and decarbonization and electrification markets. The organization is committed to steady and predictable delivery and is positioned on an exciting growth trajectory.

Role Purpose

To develop, maintain, and control comprehensive project plans and schedules that align with approved project structures and contract requirements. Ensure accurate project cost and schedule forecasting, monitor overall progress against baselines, and communicate schedule impacts and performance status to stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Schedule Development

• Develop and maintain planning control structures in alignment with approved project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Develop and maintain baseline project plans and schedules using appropriate scheduling software.
• Produce and issue updates to project plans and schedules.
• Assess and communicate schedule impact of change notifications.
• Ensure all project schedules are fully logic linked and show the critical path and total float for all activities.
• Ensure project schedules are maintained in accordance with approved contract and project Work Breakdown Structure.
• Ensure work packs delivery milestones are clearly identified within the project schedules.

Schedule Monitoring & Control

• Monitor and control planning activities through all phases of project lifecycle.
• Monitor overall project progress status, achievement of major milestones, and evaluate project performance in relation to planned performance.
• Attend internal project progress and performance status meetings as required.
• Participate in schedule risk analysis as required.

Resource & Manpower Management

• Prepare and provide copies of resource loading, progress and staffing plans.
• Produce and issue updates to project manpower requirements.
• Ensure all project schedules contain resources in accordance with corporate standards.

Cost Control & Forecasting

• Liaise with cost discipline to ensure accurate and timely control and forecasting of man-hour budgets.
• Ensure that the impact of all change requests are properly assessed and included in the schedules.
• Monitor earned value application, cost and schedule variance analyses, trending and what-if scenarios.
• Maintain a standard set of agreed milestones within both the schedule and the cost reporting database.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with engineering, procurement and construction functions, and others as required, including third parties, to maintain awareness of project activities, their status, and their impact on the project schedule and manpower requirements.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and provide copies of project plans and schedules in accordance with project reporting requirements.
• Prepare and provide copies of project progress and performance status reports in accordance with project reporting requirements.
• Ensure project plans and schedules are issued in accordance with contract reporting calendar and on an as required basis.

Continuous Improvement & Development

• Participate in Project Controls Compliance and Continuous Improvement Reviews.
• Assist and support in the mentoring of junior Planning personnel.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in any Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 10–12 years relevant scheduling and planning experience.
• Detailed understanding of project management principles and techniques.
• Good understanding of Cost Management, Change Control, Planning & Risk Analysis & Management.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficient knowledge of Primavera and other scheduling software and related tools and techniques, including Logic and Critical Path Method (CPM) analysis, resource loading and levelling.
• Proficient knowledge of Project Execution Procedures for Scheduling.
• Proficient understanding of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) structures and project reporting capabilities.
• Ability to develop project schedules and plans.
• Ability to prepare resource loading, progress and staffing plans.
• Proficient understanding of earned value application, cost and schedule variance analyses, trending and what-if scenarios.

Additional Information

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to high-profile clients across the Energy Sector.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion within the organization.
• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews to ensure market alignment.
• Medical Insurance providing inpatient and outpatient medical care.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance coverage.
• End of Service Gratuity in line with UAE Labor Law.
• Employee Share Plan offering the opportunity to purchase Wood shares with company match.
• Long Service Award recognizing commitment and loyalty at 5-year service milestones.
• Commitment to continued professional development with tailored development plans.
• Access to global connections with experts at the leading edge of the industry.
• Energy Transition Academy providing community of experts to share knowledge and gain exposure to existing and emerging energy systems.