Job Description
As Director, Planning, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, and performance of all planning activities across shipbuilding and ship repair programs. This role will ensure that integrated, credible, and risk-informed plans are developed, maintained, and used as key management tools to support on-time and efficient project delivery.
You will provide functional leadership to the planning organization, establish standards and best practices, and work closely with the Project Management, Operations, Engineering, and Finance Departments, as well as senior management, to support decision-making at both the project and portfolio levels.
More Specifically, You Will
- Define and lead the enterprise planning strategy, including standards, methodologies, tools, and governance across all programs.
- Ensure project and program plans accurately reflect execution strategy, contractual commitments, scope, and project maturity, while maintaining planning integrity, consistency, and compliance throughout the organization.
- Provide executive oversight of integrated program and project planning activities, including milestones, sequencing, critical interfaces, constraints, and recovery strategies.
- Assess planning performance, trends, and risks at the portfolio level, proactively identifying leading indicators and escalating material issues with clear, actionable recommendations to senior management.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure planning quality, predictability, readiness, and delivery performance.
- Ensure robust progress measurement, forecasting, and alignment with cost, earned value, and project controls reporting to support informed management decisions.
- Oversee the evaluation of planning impacts related to changes, delays, claims, and replanning activities, ensuring risks, assumptions, and recovery scenarios are clearly articulated and supported by credible analysis.
- Lead and develop the planning organization, ensuring appropriate capabilities, capacity, and succession planning are in place to support current and future programs.
- Set clear expectations for performance, accountability, and continuous improvement, and attract, retain, and develop senior planning talent.
- Act as the senior planning authority and trusted advisor to senior management.
Qualifications
- Ten to fifteen (10–15) years of progressive experience in planning, project controls, or a related field, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory role.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
- Significant experience supporting large‑scale shipbuilding and/or ship repair projects is a strong asset.
- Strong knowledge and demonstrated ability to apply project controls principles and methodologies aligned with AACEI and PMI (PMBOK) standard practices.
- Sound understanding of project delivery phases and associated activities and deliverables.
- Working knowledge of Earned Value Measurement (EVM – ANSI/EIA-748-B) in engineering, procurement, and construction.
- Working knowledge of risk management principles and methodologies.
- Demonstrated understanding of the interrelationships between good technical project scope definition, planning quality, estimating, construction sequencing, execution strategy, procurement and contracting strategies, commissioning, and start-up.
- Ability to manage the impact of changes and trends related to budget control and ETC and EAC analysis.
- Strong understanding of cross-functional interfaces with engineering, supply chain (materials and subcontracts), construction, safety, quality, finance and accounting, and operations.
- Ability to work effectively as an integral part of a large team, including the client, engineering disciplines, the senior management team, and third-party suppliers.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with superiors, colleagues, and internal and external individuals.
- Bilingualism (French and English). Proficiency in english and french is required for this position, as the incumbent will interact in both languages with our clients, partners, and suppliers.
- High degree of teamwork and collaboration with other team members, including fast-paced deadline pressures.
- Excellent knowledge of Excel, including pivot tables, formulas, and import/export features.
- Proficiency in Primavera P6, or at a minimum, comprehensive knowledge of its use and capabilities in integrated planning and project controls environments.
- Good working knowledge of financial systems and project management techniques (planning, budget control, etc.).
- Ability to prioritize assignments, deal with interruptions, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, while producing high-quality work.
- Attention to details.
- Successful completion of the investigation and security clearance process required under the federal government’s Contract Security Program.
About Us
Founded in 1825, Davie is Canada’s largest shipyard. We build and repair specialized, essential vessels for government and commercial clients.
Working at Davie means embracing vast possibilities every day and taking part in an adventure where every project leads to something monumental. It’s about tackling big challenges with creativity, determination, and passion.
There’s a real sense of pride in being part of the Davie team. It’s not just about delivering major projects - it’s about innovation and pushing boundaries to accomplish something truly remarkable.
At Davie,
we forge the monumental!
