Forensic Planner

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. 

Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals, and the Manufacturing and Technology markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. 

Bechtel helps clients deliver projects of purpose that create a lasting positive legacy globally.  These large, complex and multi-disciplined projects create jobs and grow economies; improve the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure; connect communities to resources and opportunities; get us closer to net zero; tackle critical environmental challenges to protect people and the planet; and accelerate progress to make the world a cleaner, greener, safer place. 

Bechtel is providing a wide variety project and contract management services, crossing all disciplines, to customers in Western Australia to support exciting capital works programmes, including in aviation, defence and energy infrastructure. We are looking for people to join us in a long-term relationship to deliver these services in and around Perth where we are working within integrated teams with our customers and to help build Bechtel’s capabilities for even greater opportunities in the future. 

The Principal Forensic Planning Manager is a senior leadership position within the Project Controls and Commercial function, responsible for leading all aspects of forensic planning, delay analysis, scheduling governance, claims management, and dispute resolution across a portfolio of major projects.

The role provides strategic direction to project controls, commercial, legal, and executive teams in the assessment and defence of complex contractor and client claims involving extensions of time, disruption, acceleration, productivity loss, and associated cost impacts.

The successful candidate will be recognised as a subject matter expert in forensic planning and delay analysis and will be capable of leading multidisciplinary teams through complex commercial and contractual matters while providing authoritative advice to executive stakeholders.

• Lead the forensic planning and delay analysis function across a portfolio of major capital projects.
• Direct the assessment, quantification, and entitlement evaluation of complex delay, disruption, acceleration, and productivity claims with significant commercial exposure.
• Develop and implement strategic frameworks, governance standards, methodologies, and procedures for forensic schedule analysis, claims management, and schedule risk mitigation.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership, commercial management, legal counsel, and project directors on matters related to schedule entitlement, contractual obligations, and dispute avoidance.
• Lead the preparation and review of forensic delay analyses using recognised methodologies, including:
  • • Time Impact Analysis (TIA)
    • Window Analysis
    • Impacted As-Planned
    • As-Built Critical Path Analysis
    • Collapsed As-Built Analysis
• Act as the primary interface with legal advisers, dispute resolution professionals, and external consultants in support of arbitration, mediation, adjudication, expert determination, and litigation proceedings.
• Review, validate, and endorse forensic reports prepared internally or by external consultants, ensuring technical accuracy, contractual alignment, and defensibility.
• Provide expert witness support and contribute to preparation of expert evidence and testimony where required.
• Establish and maintain executive-level reporting on major claims, schedule risks, change events, and dispute exposures.
• Lead multidisciplinary investigations into major project delays and performance issues, identifying root causes, contractual liabilities, and recovery opportunities.
• Provide strategic direction for schedule improvement initiatives and portfolio-wide schedule assurance programs.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of planning standards, work instructions, templates, governance frameworks, and assurance processes.

Requires bachelor's or master's degree (or international equivalent) and 13-15 years of relevant experience or 17-19 years of relevant work experience.

• Expert knowledge of:

• • Primavera P6
  • Acumen Fuse
  • Safran Risk
  • Schedule Risk Analysis techniques
  • Delay and disruption analysis methodologies
  • Earned Value Management (EVM)
  • Change management and commercial governance

• Advanced understanding of:

• • AACE International Recommended Practices
  • Society of Construction Law (SCL) Delay and Disruption Protocol
  • Industry case law relating to delay and disruption claims
  • Critical Path Method scheduling
  • Construction law and contract administration
  • Subcontract schedule governance, progress validation, and claims substantiation requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, quantity Surveying, project management, or related discipline.
  • Professional certifications such as:
    • PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional)
    • CCP (Certified Cost Professional
    • MRICS / FRICS
    • PMI-SP
    • AACE Certifications

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

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