Senior Project Controls Manager

Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Role Overview

A leading programme delivery organisation is seeking a Senior Project Controls Manager to lead the planning, cost control, scheduling, and performance management functions across a major large-scale development programme in Riyadh.

The role is responsible for establishing and maintaining robust project controls frameworks to ensure effective governance, accurate reporting, and proactive management of time, cost, risk, and performance across multiple complex workstreams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the project controls function across a major multi-package development programme.
Develop, implement, and maintain integrated project controls systems covering cost, schedule, risk, and change management.
Oversee preparation and management of baseline schedules, progress updates, forecasts, and critical path analysis.
Manage cost control activities including budgeting, commitments, actuals tracking, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Implement robust earned value management (EVM) processes to measure project performance.
Lead risk management processes including identification, assessment, mitigation, and reporting of project risks and opportunities.
Oversee change control procedures, ensuring proper evaluation, documentation, and approval of variations.
Produce high-quality monthly reports, dashboards, and executive-level performance summaries.
Ensure data integrity across all project controls systems and reporting platforms.
Support commercial and delivery teams with analysis of programme impacts and decision-making support.
Interface with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on programme status and forecasts.
Lead and mentor a team of planning and project controls professionals.
Ensure compliance with governance frameworks, contractual requirements, and organisational standards.
Drive continuous improvement in project controls processes, tools, and reporting capabilities.

Candidate Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or related discipline.
Minimum 8+ years of experience in project controls roles on large-scale infrastructure or development programmes.
Strong expertise in planning and scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 (or equivalent).
Proven experience in cost management, forecasting, and earned value analysis.
Strong understanding of risk management frameworks and change control processes.
Experience managing project controls on complex, multi-disciplinary programmes.
Excellent analytical, reporting, and data interpretation skills.
Strong leadership experience managing project controls teams.
Advanced stakeholder management and communication skills.
Experience working in the Middle East or on major international programmes preferred.

Key Attributes

Highly analytical with strong attention to detail
Commercially aware with strong understanding of project delivery drivers
Proactive and solution-oriented mindset
Strong leadership and mentoring capability
Ability to perform in fast-paced, high-pressure programme environments

What This Role Offers

An opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of a flagship, multi-billion-pound development programme, working at the forefront of large-scale project controls, governance, and performance management in a dynamic and fast-evolving environment.