Senior Planning Manager

The Senior Planning Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing project schedules specific to fit-out projects, including interior finishes, MEP coordination, and phased delivery requirements. This role requires expertise in managing complex scheduling across multiple trades and subcontractors while ensuring alignment with main contract milestones and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyzes schedule data to identify critical path issues and potential delays in fit-out delivery phases.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive CPM schedules for fit-out projects, incorporating engineering, procurement, and construction phases with particular attention to trade sequencing and coordination requirements.
• Leads junior planning staff through assignment tasks and provides mentorship on fit-out scheduling best practices.
• Tracks and manages corrective actions to address schedule variances and coordinates schedule input from all organizational departments and subcontractors.
• Identifies, analyzes, and recommends corrective actions for schedule variances specific to fit-out project constraints and dependencies.
• Produces and updates comprehensive scheduling management reports for stakeholder review.
• Develops and maintains the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for fit-out projects, ensuring effective project coding across all cornerstone applications.
• Utilizes drawings, specifications, and fit-out design documents to develop accurate and detailed schedules.
• Performs resource loading and schedule risk analysis to optimize labor allocation across multiple trades and phased delivery requirements.
• Assembles and manages data for regular schedule updates, reflecting progress on fit-out activities and subcontractor performance.
• Demonstrates knowledge of construction contracting terms and their scheduling implications, particularly as they relate to fit-out subcontracts and purchase orders.
• Monitors contractor progress, reviews invoices, and evaluates subcontract schedule performance to provide management with actionable insights.
• Manages scope control and change management processes, incorporating directed changes into the schedule baseline while maintaining earned value methodology standards.
• Assumes responsibility for baseline schedule maintenance and ensures schedule integrity throughout the fit-out project lifecycle.
• Applies cost analysis and forecasting techniques to support planning and scheduling decisions.
• Conducts performance measurement and analyzes schedule trends to support project forecasting and reporting.
• Supports multiple levels of project reporting to clients, stakeholders, and internal management.
• Leads and participates in project planning and scheduling review meetings, ensuring alignment across all fit-out phases and trade coordination.
• Assists in developing and implementing scheduling procedures and best practices specific to fit-out project delivery.

Qualifications

Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in construction project planning and scheduling, with at least 8 years in a senior planning or scheduling management role Extensive experience developing and managing Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules for complex fit-out, interior finishes, and MEP coordination projects Proven expertise in multi-trade coordination and subcontractor scheduling management across phased delivery projects Advanced proficiency with industry-standard scheduling software (Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or equivalent) Demonstrated experience with Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development and project coding across enterprise applications Strong knowledge of construction contracting terms, subcontract management, and their scheduling implications Proficiency in earned value management (EVM) methodology and schedule performance analysis Proven track record of managing schedule baselines, change management processes, and scope control Experience with resource loading, schedule risk analysis, and labor allocation optimization Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor junior planning staff and cross-functional teams Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify critical path issues and recommend corrective actions Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce comprehensive reports for multiple stakeholder levels Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or related field

Preferred Qualifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Scheduling Professional (CSP) certification Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration in scheduling processes Knowledge of construction accounting software and invoice management systems Experience in commercial interior fit-out or tenant improvement projects Familiarity with multiple scheduling methodologies and best practices development Experience supporting multiple concurrent