Director - Operational Advisory - Hospitality - 50012013 AG6

Role Overview

Director - Operational Advisory, Hospitality at Qiddiya Investment Company, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is a strategic leadership position overseeing operational planning and design development for a landmark hospitality destination.

Company Overview

Qiddiya Investment Company is developing a landmark destination that is redefining entertainment, culture and hospitality in the Kingdom. The Hospitality Business Unit is developing a portfolio of hotel assets central to this vision.

Role Purpose

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the operational planning and design development of all hotel operating areas related to the guest accommodation experience. Working from the earliest project stages, you will establish the operational vision, governance and decision-making framework required to translate operational requirements into efficient, guest-centric design solutions that optimize both the guest journey and hotel operations. You will balance Qiddiya's design vision with hotel requirements, challenge traditional brand approaches and champion innovative, forward-looking solutions across the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Governance

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for operational planning and design development of hotel operating areas related to guest accommodation experience, from Strategy Brief through design development.
• Establish and approve operational concepts, planning principles and design criteria for all Rooms Division functions.
• Own and govern the development of operational planning standards, design guidelines and best practices across the Hospitality Business Unit.
• Set portfolio-wide benchmarks against international hospitality best practices and emerging operational trends.

Design & Operations Integration

• Establish the operational vision and decision-making framework required to translate operational requirements into efficient, guest-centric design solutions.
• Direct and approve operational workflows, adjacencies and functional relationships between guest-facing and back-of-house areas.
• Oversee and approve Facility Schedules and space allocations to ensure operational functionality and efficient utilization of space.
• Provide final operational endorsement of mock-up rooms, operational layouts and back-of-house planning to validate functionality and guest experience.

Rooms Division Planning

• Establish and approve operational concepts for arrival experience, driveway, porte cochère, parking, lobby planning, Front Office, Concierge, Bell Services, Guest Relations, Club Lounge, Housekeeping, Laundry and associated back-of-house support areas.

Design Review & Challenge

• Provide executive-level review and challenge of design proposals to ensure they support operational efficiency, service delivery, guest experience and long-term asset performance.
• Chair or lead operational design reviews throughout all project stages, resolving key operational risks, advancing opportunities and ensuring improvements are incorporated before design decisions are finalized.

Stakeholder Alignment & Engagement

• Build senior-level alignment across Design Management, Design Excellence, Food & Beverage, Wellness, MEP and Development teams to ensure integrated operational planning across all hospitality assets.
• Lead strategic engagement with hotel Operators to interpret and challenge brand standards and operational requirements, ensuring they are appropriately reflected in the design while supporting Qiddiya's asset vision.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Development, Design, Operators and consultants to direct the planning of guest-facing and back-of-house operational areas.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement of Hospitality Business Unit operational planning processes, standards and governance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in luxury hotel operations, operational planning, design development, technical services, or hotel pre-opening projects.
• Strong leadership experience within Rooms Division or related hotel operations.
• Extensive senior operational leadership experience within luxury or upper-upscale hotels.
• Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of hotel operations, guest journey planning and operational design.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving skills.

Additional Information

• Applications close on 7th September 2026.