Planning Manager Career in UAE

Are you experienced in strategic planning, forecasting, and operational coordination? We are looking for a Planning Manager in Dubai / UAE to oversee planning functions including forecasting, budgeting, project scheduling, and alignment between departments. This role is for someone who combines analytical rigor with excellent stakeholder communication to ensure goals are met on time and on budget.

About the Company

RTC-1 Employment Services is recruiting on behalf of a well-established travel company based in Dubai with over 20 years of experience offering holiday & travel services globally. The company values creativity, brand consistency, and doing work that sparks wanderlust.

Job Overview

Location: UAE (likely Dubai)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Department: Planning / Strategy / Operations

Reports To: Head of Strategy / Operations Director

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field; advanced qualifications are a plus

Experience: Around 5–10 years in planning / forecasting / project scheduling roles; experience in UAE or GCC is advantageous

Gender: Open

Role – Planning Manager

You’ll be responsible for developing and managing the planning process — budgeting, forecasting, aligning project schedules, monitoring progress, and ensuring cross-department alignment. You will act as a central point between operations, finance, project teams, and senior leadership to ensure that strategic plans are translated into actionable timelines and performance is tracked.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes for the business / projects.

• Develop detailed project schedules, timelines, and resource allocation plans.

• Monitor project & departmental performance vs plans; highlight deviations and drive corrective actions.

• Work closely with finance, operations, and project management teams to ensure alignment on goals and deliverables.

• Prepare reports and dashboards for senior management on planning KPIs, trend analysis, and forecasts.

• Facilitate risk management related to schedule delays, budget overruns, or resource constraints.

• Ensure that plans are realistic, data-driven, and account for cross-department dependencies.

• Mentor / manage junior planners or analyst roles, and improve planning practices and tools.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Project Management, or relevant field.

• 5–10 years of planning / operations / forecasting experience.

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and modeling skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Proficiency with planning tools, dashboards, spreadsheet software. Experience with ERP / planning software is a plus.

• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects.

Average Salary

• The typical salary for a Planning Manager in the UAE is around AED 26,500 to AED 28,000 per month.

• Range may vary depending on experience, industry, company size, and location. For instance, with more senior experience and larger responsibilities, salaries up to AED 33,000+ are possible.

What We Offer

• A strategic role with visible impact across operations and projects.

• Opportunity to work with senior leadership on planning and decision-making.

• Exposure to high-stakes forecasting, budgeting, and schedule management.

• Competitive salary & benefits aligned with UAE market norms.

Location & Work Conditions

• Based in an office in UAE; regular collaboration across departments.

• Full-time role; may involve extra effort during budget/cycle planning or project delivery peaks.

Growth & Career Path

• Potential to progress into Head of Planning, Director of Operations, or Strategy Leadership roles.

• Broader responsibility over multiple business units or higher strategic influence with experience.

How to Apply

When applying via the listing Planning Manager (Ref: #500855), include:

• Your CV showing relevant planning, forecasting, and project scheduling experience.

• Examples of budgeting / forecasting / schedule management you’ve led.

• Tools / software you are proficient in.

• Any experience you have in UAE / GCC markets and industry-specific planning.

 Apply Here –  Planning Manager | Dubai