Chief Project Planner

KoBold Metals Zambia · Chililabombwe

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About the Company

In the coming decades, demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, and cobalt will continue to grow. These minerals are needed to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. However, the mining industry is making 10x fewer discoveries per dollar spent on exploration compared to 30 years ago because the easy-to-find, near surface deposits have largely been discovered.

KoBold was founded to be the first AI native mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company. Our goal is to turn mineral exploration into a repeatable science to discover the minerals the world needs—by integrating artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology. Our multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, and geologists work together to build data systems, design new sensors, and establish industry-leading workflows to develop and test subsurface predictions on our exploration projects.

Our first discovery, Mingomba, is a high-grade copper deposit in Zambia, found after spending materially less than industry average. We are developing Mingomba with the same technical rigor that we apply to exploration. The Mingomba team brings together mine and processing engineers, geologists, data scientists, software engineers, and community, health & safety, construction, and operations specialists. By combining industry knowledge and cutting edge technology, we are developing Mingomba into a world class project that has safer and more predictable outcomes for ourselves, partners, and communities. It is expected to create thousands of good jobs for generations.

KoBold runs exploration programs in eight countries, all with the potential for another discovery.

KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and strategic natural resources companies BHP and Mitsubishi.

About the position

This role will be a key member of our team in Zambia, responsible for leading project planning efforts across the organization. You will work closely with business and technical teams to develop, maintain, and optimize project schedules, ensuring alignment with overall strategic goals. Additionally, you will provide analytical insights and planning tools to monitor project performance and support data-driven decision-making. Since KoBold is a startup company operating globally, your role will be dynamic and your role and responsibilities will grow as the company grows.  

Responsibilities

The Project Planner will:

• Lead development of integrated, resource-loaded master schedules (Primavera P6) from concept through commissioning and close out, aligned to WBS/CBS standards.
• Establish the schedule governance model (coding structures, calendars, fragnets, interfaces, and data quality checks) for all workstreams and contractors.
• Drive baseline development (scope freeze assumptions, logic, critical/near‑critical path, milestones) and obtain formal approvals.
• Build and maintain robust WBS/OBS/RBS structures and activity coding to enable multi-level reporting (program; project; area; system; subsystem).
• Perform logic integrity audits (lags, open ends, constraints, out‑of‑sequence work) and enforce schedule hygiene standards (DCMA 14‑point compliance).
• Implement resource and crew planning, leveling/stacking rules, and labor/equipment calendars consistent with field realities.
• Conduct critical path and driving-path analysis, total/ free float consumption tracking, and pathway-of-risk reviews.
• Run trend analysis (SPI(t), schedule variance, progress curves, productivity indices) and produce leading indicators and early‑warning signals.
• Build what‑if simulations and scenario models (alternate execution sequences, resequencing for access/permits, weather or logistics constraints).
• Perform probabilistic schedule risk analysis (e.g., Monte Carlo) to quantify P‑dates, confidence levels, and criticality/sensitivity indices; propose mitigation and contingency plans.
• Integrate with cost control to support Earned Value Management (EVM); reconcile schedule and cost performance (SPI/CPI) and explain variances.
• Define progress measurement rules of credit and automate performance tracking at work‑package and system levels.
• Generate rolling lookaheads (2–6 weeks), constraint logs, and readiness checks to support field execution.
• Facilitate schedule risk reviews; maintain risk registers and link mitigations to schedule activities with measurable impacts.
• Manage change control; quantify time impacts (TIA), maintain fragnet libraries, and support claims/extension‑of‑time narratives with forensic schedule analysis.
• Lead recovery and resequencing plans when thresholds or KPIs are breached.
• Integrate P6 with cost systems/ERP, document management, field progress apps, and (where applicable) 4D/BIM tools.
• Establish data pipelines between P6 and BI tools (e.g., SQL/Power Query/DAX; Python a plus) to automate reporting and analytics.
• Coach project teams and junior planners; codify playbooks, checklists, and reusable templates for the planning function.

Qualifications

A great candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in project planning on major capital projects, preferably in sectors such as mining, oil & gas, infrastructure, or heavy industry.
• Expert proficiency in Primavera P6 and scheduling best practices.
• Strong knowledge of project management frameworks (PMBOK, PRINCE2) and familiarity with earned value analysis.
• Proven experience in developing and managing detailed EPC schedules on projects >$500M.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or similar) is an asset.
• Experience with planning software integrations (e.g., cost systems, ERP, BIM tools) is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary, and multicultural team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Flexibility to accommodate meetings with staff overseas and occasional travel
• Interest in contributing broadly to the success of the company and eager to pitch in where needed
• Clear Ethics Record

We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all people.

This position is a full-time contract role.

Currently, we are only accepting applications from Zambian nationals.

Location:   Zambia.

What to Expect

Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field.

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