Planning Manager

An experienced Planning Manager is required to lead the planning and programme management function on a major rail infrastructure project in Yuen Long, Hong Kong. This senior appointment offers a salary of up to HK$150,000 per month and requires strong MTR project experience, detailed reporting capabilities and excellent programme controls expertise.

Project Details

The successful Planning Manager will be responsible for planning and programme management and will be based on a major rail infrastructure project in the Yuen Long area of Hong Kong.

The Planning Manager will oversee the preparation, monitoring and control of the project programme, ensuring that construction activities remain aligned with contractual milestones, quality requirements and reporting procedures.

The role requires exceptional attention to detail, particularly in relation to progress reporting, programme quality, forecasting and the presentation of accurate project information to senior management and the client.

Previous experience delivering projects for MTR Corporation is particularly important. Candidates should understand MTR procedures, reporting expectations and approval processes, and ideally have established professional relationships with relevant MTR stakeholders.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Planning Manager will lead the planning and scheduling function for the rail project and manage the work of the project planning team. The role will involve close collaboration with the Project Director, construction teams, commercial personnel and client representatives.

Key duties will include:

• Lead and manage the project planning team, providing technical direction, support and mentoring to planners and planning engineers.
• Develop, maintain and regularly update the detailed master programme for the rail infrastructure project.
• Ensure that project programmes are aligned with contractual requirements, key milestones, construction priorities and MTR procedures.
• Establish effective planning, programme control and reporting systems for the project.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate weekly and monthly progress reports for senior management and the client.
• Maintain a high standard of quality and attention to detail across all planning reports, programme updates, progress records and forecasts.
• Monitor actual progress against the approved baseline programme and identify potential delays, constraints and areas of programme risk.
• Prepare reliable completion forecasts and advise the project leadership team of emerging programme issues.
• Review construction methodologies, sequencing, resource requirements and productivity assumptions.
• Conduct delay analysis and support the preparation, assessment and management of extension of time claims.
• Maintain appropriate records to support contractual notices, delay submissions and programme-related claims.
• Provide planning and programme management input to project risk reviews, mitigation plans and recovery programmes.
• Work closely with project directors, construction managers, commercial teams and other stakeholders to align planning strategies with project delivery requirements.
• Liaise professionally with MTR representatives and other project stakeholders regarding programme submissions, reporting and project progress.
• Review subcontractor programmes and ensure that they are properly integrated into the overall project programme.
• Support resource planning and allocation by identifying labour, plant, material and access requirements.
• Provide planning input during tendering, procurement and subcontractor appointment activities where required.
• Promote continuous improvement in planning procedures, reporting systems, programme quality and project controls.
• Ensure that Primavera P6 data, narratives, progress records and supporting information remain accurate, consistent and auditable.

Desired Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will be an experienced Planning Manager with a strong main contractor background and substantial experience in the delivery of complex rail or major civil engineering projects.

MTR project experience is highly important because the successful candidate will need to understand the client’s procedures, programme requirements, reporting standards and stakeholder expectations.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• At least 12–15 years of construction planning and programme management experience or equivalent
• A minimum of around seven years’ planning experience gained within a main contractor environment (or equivalent)
• A proven track record working on MTR Corporation projects in Hong Kong.
• Strong knowledge of MTR programme submission procedures, reporting requirements, governance processes and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience managing planning teams on complex rail, civil engineering or infrastructure projects.
• Detailed knowledge of construction methodologies, project sequencing and programme development.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project and other relevant project controls and reporting tools.
• Experience preparing and maintaining baseline programmes, updated programmes, recovery programmes and tender programmes.
• Strong progress monitoring, reporting, forecasting and programme control capabilities.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and quality across project reports and programme submissions.
• Experience undertaking delay analysis and supporting extension of time claims.
• Knowledge of critical path analysis, programme risk, change control and time impact analysis.
• Previous experience working under NEC contracts, preferably NEC4.
• A good understanding of NEC programme obligations, early warnings, compensation events and accepted programme requirements.
• The ability to review project performance critically and identify practical programme mitigation measures.
• Strong leadership and team-management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills.
• The confidence to communicate effectively with project directors, construction teams, commercial teams and client representatives.
• Professional fluency in English and Cantonese language skills are highly desirable and will be viewed favourably.
• Existing relationships with MTR stakeholders would be advantageous.
• A valid Hong Kong Identity Card and an unrestricted right to work in Hong Kong are ESSENTIAL

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or another relevant construction-related discipline is expected
• A recognised professional qualification in engineering, construction, planning or project management would be advantageous.
• Relevant Primavera P6 training or professional project controls qualifications would be beneficial.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Maxim Recruitment is working with a leading main contractor delivering major civil engineering, rail and infrastructure projects in Hong Kong.

The employer has a strong presence in the Hong Kong construction market and provides opportunities for experienced professionals to work on technically challenging, high-value infrastructure projects. Its project teams operate within demanding client and contractual environments where programme certainty, construction quality, safety and detailed reporting are essential.

This Planning Manager position represents an opportunity to take a senior role on an important rail project and work closely with experienced project, construction, commercial and planning professionals.

A full client overview will be given to shortlisted candidates.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

• Salary of up to HK$150,000 per month.
• Senior planning leadership position on a major Hong Kong rail project.
• Further package details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.