The Principal Planning and Scheduling role sits within the Project Execution Review (PER) function and provides independent, enterprise-level planning and schedule assurance across BHP’s major capital projects portfolio.

Reporting to the Vice President, Projects Execution Review, this role plays a critical part in providing senior leaders with confidence in project planning, schedule integrity, and accuracy in forecasting the achievement of Investment Approval Request (IAR) milestones. The role contributes to Execution Phase Reviews (EPRs) for projects greater than US$250 million and, where delegated, Definition Phase Study (DPS) Independent Peer Reviews (IPRs) for projects typically greater than US$100 million, including mega projects approved by the Group Investment Review Committee (GIRC).

This role requires a senior planning professional who can operate credibly with project directors, functional leaders, and executive stakeholders, while retaining the technical depth to identify optimism bias, embedded risk, and systemic weaknesses in schedule forecasts.

Purpose of the Role:

To provide independent technical expertise across all aspects of planning and scheduling, supporting Project Execution Reviews. On behalf of the GIRC, the role assures the integrity, transparency, and delivery confidence of project timing positions. Where deviations are identified, the role continues the work to determine root causes and recommend actions to remedy or, where not possible, mitigate the impacts. This work enables Project Leadership to make high-quality decisions across the capital portfolio.

Key Accountabilities

Execution Phase Reviews (EPRs):

• Contribute to the planning and delivery of structured, risk-based Project Execution Reviews and the selection of Independent Peer Reviews (IPRs).
• Prepare test plans for planning and scheduling elements and work with project teams to identify and source relevant artefacts to enable high-quality reviews.
• Review and assure project schedules, including accuracy and forecasts of work to go, approved and unapproved trends, and contingency.
• Test whether all aspects of the investment have been appropriately incorporated into milestone and schedule forecasts.
• Investigate root causes where schedule deviations are likely or possible.
• Prepare the planning and scheduling sections of EPR reports and functional findings for IPRs, with broader contributions to portfolio-level summary reporting.

Time Assurance & Insight:

• Diagnose root causes of schedule forecast deterioration, optimism bias, and schedule drift where deviations are considered possible.
• Work with project teams to shape recovery plans that eliminate or mitigate schedule risks.
• Assess alignment between cost, schedule, and risk narratives.
• Support the development of credible mitigation and remedial actions with project teams.

Enterprise Value & Continuous Improvement:

• Translate review insights into portfolio-level themes and emerging risks.
• Contribute to improvements in schedule management standards, tools, and routines in partnership with the Project Centre of Excellence (PCoE).
• Strengthen enterprise-wide schedule discipline and transparency.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build trusted and constructive relationships with project teams and senior stakeholders.
• Communicate complex schedule issues clearly, confidently, and with appropriate influence.

You are a highly experienced planning and scheduling professional with deep exposure to large, complex capital projects and the confidence to provide independent challenge in senior forums.

You will bring:

• Substantial experience in project schedule management and forecasting.
• Proven exposure to major capital projects (typically greater than US$250 million).
• Strong analytical capability and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify systemic schedule weaknesses and emerging risks.
• Confidence engaging with senior project and executive leaders.
• High professional integrity and sound judgment.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation (AACE, AIQS, RICS, or equivalent) desirable.
• Experience in mining, energy, infrastructure, or similarly complex capital environments highly regarded.

Why Join Project Execution Review?

• Influence outcomes across an approximately US$25 billion global capital portfolio.
• Operate within a high-credibility, independent assurance function.
• Work at the intersection of project execution, governance, and executive decision-making.
• Collaborate with senior specialists across estimating, cost, delivery, and commissioning.
• Make enterprise-level impact beyond individual projects.

Location & Mobility:

This role has a global remit and will require travel aligned to review activities.