Project Planner

Location: Ottawa, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

For decades, Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today, Canada’s capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. Voted as Canada’s best place to live 2017 by Maclean's, Ottawa offers a low cost of living with a high quality of life. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

**Position Summary**

The Project Planner will be responsible to prepare, monitor and maintain project schedules, providing accurate and timely reports as required, in support of key Thales Canada Defence & Security (TCDS) projects.

The role is responsible for meeting contracted Key Performance Indicators (KPI) requirements within the program in accordance with Thales guidelines.

**Key Responsibilities**

The Project Planner is responsible for the development, monitoring and maintenance of project schedules. The schedules will be used to identify the program critical paths in conjunction with end customers and other project entities.

The main duties of the Project Planner include:

- Liaise with key stakeholders to develop valid and accurate bid and project schedules;
- Liaise with key stakeholders to maintain valid and accurate project schedules in accordance with a weekly update cycle;
- Highlight areas of schedule and cost concern and identify potential actions for improving performance;
- Advise the Project Manager (PM) of project tasks or event issues that might impact on key milestones;
- Maintain schedule integrity in accordance with Industry best practice;
- Ensure data transfer and data coordination between various program management software systems to ensure capture of accurate performance data;
- Reconcile performance data generated from the systems with real project performance through communication with members of the project team;
- Prepare and maintain Contract/Task Change proposals (CCP/TCP) and other relevant information;
- Integrate scope variations via CCP/TCPs into existing project schedules including analysis of any impact to the existing program;
- Regularly report to the Project team on progress and project performance;
- Carry out analysis of project schedule and cost performance;
- Assist the PM in resource levelling and other appropriate suitable techniques to identify suitable project execution strategies to reduce execution costs and improve schedule performance;
- Assist with planning functions including project structure with relevant documentation; and maintain and update cost status of work packages.

**Key Requirements**
- Post graduate qualifications or trainings in the area of Business, Finance/Accounting, Project Management, or Engineering is desirable
- Competent user of Primavera or equivalent scheduling software, with knowledge of other scheduling tools such as MS Project;
- 5 + Years of experience in scheduling projects;
- Project planning knowledge essential;
- Demonstrated analytical skills;
- Excellent communications skills including the ability to prepare and present reports to a range of audiences;
- Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to promote cooperation at all levels;
- Experience with Earned Value principles, systems and techniques;
- Experience with Schedule Risk Analysis is considered beneficial;
- Prior experience in engineering industry is desirable;
- A high level of computing skills particularly with MS Office;
- Able to obtain a Canadian security clearance and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Canadian Controlled Goods Registration Program and ITAR.