Director - Planning | Real Estate | Asset Development
Location: Dubai, AE
Job Requisition ID: 165484
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.
By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day
Overview of the role
The Director of Planning serves as the client-side leader, overseeing the planning and execution of large-scale construction projects. This role involves strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, and oversight of design consultants, contractors, and vendors to ensure timely, budget-aligned, and high-quality project delivery. The Director contributes to all project phases, providing detailed input on logistics, milestones, contract packaging, tender reviews, and contractor selection. During construction, they lead a team of planners and consultants, ensuring seamless project delivery through hands-on involvement and regular site visits. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record in delivering major projects and extensive construction planning experience in the Middle East.
What you will do
Define project objectives, scope, and success criteria in collaboration with organizational leadership. Produce and maintain the master project schedule for the sitewide development of all assets and infrastructure. Provide guidance and create strategic / high level schedules for all stages of the project, from masterplanning, through design and construction, including phasing and sectional completions. Lead the client’s planning team and be the respective primary point of contact with internal and external stakeholders, contractors and consultants. Manage the progress and planning of all project phases, from masterplanning stage, to concept design and through to construction and handover. Ensure alignment with the project brief and development timelines. Oversee the transition of project schedules to construction managers, ensuring all milestones and dependencies are clearly articulated. Ensure programming and schedules accommodate regulatory processes and permitting timelines. Provide outline tender programmes for construction projects and ensure that the tender documents incorporate suitable deliverables and milestones to align with the project objectives. Define Project reporting requirements for planning and progress and manage contractor’s timely delivery of the same. Review contractor’s planning and progress and manage contractor to ensure programme delivery, including mitigation plans. Lead high level meetings with the contractors for review of progress and planning. Interface and provide directions to the PMC’s planning team. Develop and maintain systems to track progress against the program and schedule, reporting deviations and recommending corrective actions. Develop Project Plans: Create detailed plans outlining the sequence of construction activities and their timelines. Schedule Creation: Develop, update, and manage project schedules using tools like Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar software. Critical Path Analysis (CPA): Identify critical activities and dependencies to ensure timely project completion. Milestone Setting: Define key project milestones and ensure all stakeholders are aligned with these goals.
Required Skills to be successful
Minimum of 15 years of experience in major construction projects, with substantial experience in client-side roles. Proven expertise in planning and management for the delivery of large-scale and high-value projects. Middle East experience of large-scale projects.
What equips you for the role
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or other construction related field.
About Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate
The real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate is responsible for a multi-billion-dollar portfolio across MENA. With high-quality residential, business, retail, tourism, educational and healthcare developments, the master developer caters to the diverse needs of cities and communities in the region. From origination, conception, development, sales, procurement and construction of mega-projects and the leasing, operation and management of these projects after completion, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) has been developing and managing owned landbanks, unlocking the economic potential of the region and contributing to future development for more than 40 years.
Our focus is to enable and invest in meaningful relationships to make our properties the best places to live and work, build additional products and services and enable partnerships to create true value to our customers throughout their entire experience with us.
AFGRE is responsible for master planning of all projects in its portfolio, including two large scale mixed use destinations: Dubai Festival City and Cairo Festival City.
