Project Controls & Planning Manager (French-Speaking)

OverviewThe Project & Programme Services (PPS) team is a critical component of the Global Project & Programme Management Office (GPMO).The team delivers predictable and efficient project performance management, reporting, and business intelligence across global portfolios.Operating from the Global Technology Centre (GTC) in India, PPS provides cost-efficient, agile, and scalable programme services using an onshore–offshore delivery model.Our ambition is to become the global leader in Programme Management Services by building a future-ready, digitally enabled, high-performing team. Your RoleThe Project Controls & Planning Manager is responsible for leading project controls functions for complex, high-value programmes.The role requires advanced expertise in planning, scheduling, cost control, performance analytics, and stakeholder management.The position acts as a specialist advisor, leading teams, guiding clients, resolving issues, and ensuring high-quality delivery across programmes.The Project Controls & Planning Manager will manage client engagements, lead multidisciplinary project control teams, drive best practices, and ensure governance and compliance across the project lifecycle. Planning & SchedulingDevelop, lead and manage comprehensive project schedules using Primavera P6, ensuring compliance with the Client /Region specific guidelines/standards.Plan and sequence project activities across all phases, including design, procurement, and construction.Conduct Critical Path Analysis (CPA) and propose mitigation measures to maintain project timelines.Prepare detailed 4-week and 8-week lookahead programs and integrate them into the master schedule.Perform regular updates and integrity checks on project schedules, ensuring alignment with Client /Region specific Schedule Management Manual & DCMA criteria.Identify key dependencies and assess project risks to develop mitigation strategies.Ensure integration of cost, schedule, and resource plans.Track milestones and ensure adherence to key delivery timelines.Identify schedule variances and recommend corrective actions.Guide team in preparation of S-curves, EV reports, dashboards, and schedule analytics.Support project teams with cost-loaded schedules and conduct Earned Value Analysis (EVA) to track project performance.Identify potential schedule risks and incorporate risk mitigation strategies, including quantitative risk analysis (e.g., Monte Carlo simulations).Implement and manage change control processes as per NH guidelines to adjust Performance Measurement Baselines (PMB) for scope or schedule variations.Provide strategic input in meetings, addressing technical planning challenges.Support delay analysis, impact assessment, and time extension claims.Collaborate with planning engineers to improve planning methodologies. Cost Management & ControlsDevelop, lead and manage budgeting, forecasting, cost monitoring, and financial reporting activities.Establish and manage Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) aligned with the WBS.Provide detailed cost reports that highlight any discrepancies between actual costs and forecasted budgets, ensuring that project stakeholders are informed promptly.Analyze cost variances and trends to recommend corrective actions.Prepare earned value assessments and monthly cash flow forecasts.Standardize and automate tools for pricing, estimation, and cost tracking.Generate financial dashboards and visual reports to present cost trends, highlighting cost savings, potential risks, and areas requiring attention.Ensure compliance with organizational cost governance processes.Support early warnings, change orders, and client negotiations. Performance Reporting & AnalyticsProduce and review weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc project performance reports.Create and present accurate reports, including Schedule Narratives, Key Milestone Variance Reports, and Program Review Reports (PRR).Develop, track, and report KPIs across cost, schedule, quality, and risk.Ensure high-quality, consistent reporting standards across all deliverables.Generate Power BI dashboards for progress visualization and stakeholder communication.Preparation and Submission of Monthly Progress Report, Program Attributes List, Change logs, S Curves and CPA Reports, Variance Reports, Trend Analysis reports, EVM dashboards etc.Present project performance insights to senior management and clients.Analyse large datasets and convert insights into actionable recommendations. Team Leadership & DevelopmentAct as a Subject matter expert and provide technical guidance and recommendations to the team.Lead, mentor, and manage a team of planners, schedulers, cost controllers, and analysts.Drive capability development and skill enhancement across the team.Conduct performance reviews and ensure continuous professional growth.Maintain healthy team morale, collaboration, and effective conflict resolution.Ensure quality assurance and sign-off for all project control deliverables.Build succession plans and develop next-generation project controls leaders. Stakeholder & Client EngagementCollaborate with multidisciplinary team, project managers, engineering teams, contractors, and clients.Serve as the primary point of contact for Project planning & project controls-related discussions.Ensure alignment of all stakeholders on planning, scheduling, and cost objectives.Participate in client meetings, steering committees, and cross-functional reviews.Maintain strong working relationships to support successful project outcomes.Provide expert guidance to internal and external stakeholders on best practices. Minimum RequirementsMinimum 10–15 years of project delivery experience in engineering consultancy, design, or project management environments.Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Construction Management, Building Technology, or related field.Excellent communication, client-facing, presentation, and report-writing skills.Strong organizational skills, ability to work under pressure and adapt to change.Strong project management acumen and experience in cost & schedule governance.Ability to propose innovative solutions, processes, and working methods.French and English proficiency is a must. Desired Requirements / Technical ExpertiseSubject Matter Expertise in Planning / Project Controls.Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and MS Project.Experience in delay analysis, impact assessments, and baseline development.Proficiency in Cost Management tools (EcoSys preferred).Deep knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), CBS, budget control, cash flow, contingency management, and change control.Experience in baseline creation, progress tracking, and CL31, CL32 & CL62 schedule analysis.Experience with global (UK, US, Middle East) transportation, infrastructure, E&M projects.Knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts.Experience in large-scale Enterprise Project Management environments. Data Analytics & Power BI ExpertiseAdvanced Power BI development, including dashboards, data models, DAX, and custom analytics.Ability to analyze large datasets and convert insights into actionable recommendations.Experience with ETL design, automation, and BI system optimization.SQL proficiency for data retrieval and transformation.Experience in automation using VBA, Python, or web technologies is a plus.Strong understanding of O365 productivity suite. Certifications (Preferred)Relevant certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), AACE’s Certified Cost Professional (CCP), or PMI’s Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)Primavera / EcoSys CertificationsChartered status or equivalent professional certifications (e.g., RICS, PMP) is added advantage.Other relevant project controls or construction management credentials Soft SkillsStrong leadership and people management capabilityClient-centric approachAnalytical and critical-thinking skillsAbility to influence and manage conflictProactive problem solvingHigh emotional intelligence and team motivation ability Minimum RequirementsMinimum 10–15 years of project delivery experience in engineering consultancy, design, or project management environments.Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Construction Management, Building Technology, or related field.Excellent communication, client-facing, presentation, and report-writing skills.Strong organizational skills, ability to work under pressure and adapt to change.Strong project management acumen and experience in cost & schedule governance.Ability to propose innovative solutions, processes, and working methods.French and English proficiency is a must. Desired Requirements / Technical ExpertiseSubject Matter Expertise in Planning / Project Controls.Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 and MS Project.Experience in delay analysis, impact assessments, and baseline development.Proficiency in Cost Management tools (EcoSys preferred).Deep knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), CBS, budget control, cash flow, contingency management, and change control.Experience in baseline creation, progress tracking, and CL31, CL32 & CL62 schedule analysis.Experience with global (UK, US, Middle East) transportation, infrastructure, E&M projects.Knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts.Experience in large-scale Enterprise Project Management environments. Data Analytics & Power BI ExpertiseAdvanced Power BI development, including dashboards, data models, DAX, and custom analytics.Ability to analyze large datasets and convert insights into actionable recommendations.Experience with ETL design, automation, and BI system optimization.SQL proficiency for data retrieval and transformation.Experience in automation using VBA, Python, or web technologies is a plus.Strong understanding of O365 productivity suite. Certifications (Preferred)Relevant certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), AACE’s Certified Cost Professional (CCP), or PMI’s Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)Primavera / EcoSys CertificationsChartered status or equivalent professional certifications (e.g., RICS, PMP) is added advantage.Other relevant project controls or construction management credentials Soft SkillsStrong leadership and people management capabilityClient-centric approachAnalytical and critical-thinking skillsAbility to influence and manage conflictProactive problem solvingHigh emotional intelligence and team motivation ability