Global Head of Project Planning

Summary

Job Responsibilities

• You lead and develop the Global Project Planning Team (local direct and global reports) and foster a strong planning culture across all businesses and regions

• You define and continuously improve the global digital roadmap for project planning, (AI-supported) planning tools and processes, and act as global expert for planning applications such as MS Project and Primavera
  
   
• You develop and conduct planning trainings for the global Project Execution community and build a global community of practice for project planning
• You ensure end‑to‑end integration of planning with core systems and establish global standards for planning data. Manage the schedule portfolio, perform scenario analyses, and implement early warning indicators for schedule and resource risks
• You actively work as a project planner on key projects (e.g. EPC/EPCM) from quotation to project closing, including the development, maintenance, and monitoring of integrated schedules, progress measurement, reporting, and coordination with project stakeholders in compliance with business guidelines and customer contracts. Conduct internal and external planning sessions and progress reviews, and present planning aspects and scenarios to project management, senior management, and customers

Qualifications

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field as well as 5 years of relevant experience in project planning/scheduling, ideally in plant construction or industrial projects, and at least 2 years of leadership experience in an international or matrix environment. End‑to‑end understanding of the project lifecycle in plant and civil construction (Engineering – Procurement – Construction – Commissioning – Ramp‑up) would be a plus
• Structured and organized way of working, combined with effective communication skills German and English and the ability to work in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Proactive, motivated, and flexible personality with an independent working style and a strong customer‑ and business‑oriented mindset 
• Experience in defining or applying global planning standards and in leading change initiatives. Very good knowledge of planning software including Primavera and Microsoft Project
• Strong data literacy, including the use of dashboards and basic analytics to monitor portfolios, KPIs, and early‑warning indicators. Conceptual understanding of system integration between planning tools and adjacent systems (ERP, engineering, procurement, document management). High affinity and interest for digitalization and modern technologies, including AI‑supported planning and reporting, and experience in evaluating and introducing such solutions with IT and business stakeholders