Director - Operations & Event Delivery

Role Overview

Director - Operations & Event Delivery at Qiddiya Investment Company, based in Saudi Arabia. Lead the planning and execution of all event operations and site-wide delivery at the Cultural and Heritage program, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of cultural programming, guest experience, and large-scale event operations in alignment with asset objectives.

Company Overview

Qiddiya is Saudi Arabia's future capital of entertainment, sports, and culture — a 360 km² mega-project just outside Riyadh. From F1-grade racetracks and theme parks to stadiums and performance venues, Qiddiya is creating a destination like no other. This is more than a project — it is a national transformation.

Role Purpose

Lead the planning and execution of all event operations and site-wide delivery at the Cultural and Heritage program, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of cultural programming, guest experience, and large-scale event operations in alignment with asset objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Event Operations Planning & Delivery

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of all event operations across the Cultural and Heritage program, including the Festival and year-round programming.
• Translate programming, marketing, and commercial plans into detailed operational delivery models.
• Develop and manage event operations plans, schedules, and resource requirements.
• Ensure seamless execution of all programming and activities in line with operational plans.

Logistics, Site Readiness & Overlay

• Lead planning and execution of logistics, site readiness, and event overlay, including temporary infrastructure, structures, utilities, and services.
• Ensure readiness of all operational infrastructure prior to opening and across event cycles.
• Oversee site setup, dismantling, and transition between events or programming phases.
• Coordinate movement planning including access, transport, parking, and crowd flows.

Health, Safety & Security

• Establish and enforce HSE and security frameworks across all operations.
• Oversee crowd management planning, emergency response, and incident management protocols.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and authority requirements.
• Coordinate with security agencies and government entities to ensure safe delivery.

Guest Experience & On-Ground Delivery

• Ensure delivery of a high-quality, safe, and seamless visitor experience across all touchpoints.
• Oversee guest flow, queue management, accessibility, and service standards.
• Monitor on-ground performance and address operational issues in real time.

Vendor & Operator Management

• Oversee management of all operational vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Ensure vendor performance meets operational, safety, and service standards.
• Coordinate with procurement and contract management functions.

Cross-Functional Integration & Feasibility

• Lead operational feasibility assessment of programming, commercial, and marketing initiatives.
• Ensure alignment between programming requirements and operational capabilities.
• Work closely with Programming on feasibility and scheduling.
• Work closely with Commercial on activation requirements.
• Work closely with Marketing on campaign-driven demand.

Asset & Site Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Asset & Site Management on facilities, maintenance, and infrastructure readiness.
• Ensure operational alignment with permanent and temporary asset requirements.
• Support long-term planning of site usage and capacity.

Asset Management & Group Alignment

• Align operational plans with Asset Management direction and performance expectations.
• Coordinate with Qiddiya Group functions and external authorities where required.
• Provide operational input into planning, budgeting, and performance reviews.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Define and track operational KPIs including service levels, efficiency, and safety.
• Monitor performance during events and identify improvement opportunities.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives across operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12–15+ years of experience, with a significant portion in leadership roles overseeing large-scale operations and event delivery.
• Proven experience in planning and delivering large-scale events, festivals, or destination operations with high visitor volumes.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-site or multi-zone environments involving diverse activities and stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading end-to-end event operations, including planning, logistics, site readiness, and live delivery.
• Strong experience in crowd management, HSE, and security operations within large public events.
• Strong experience in operational planning and logistics, including transport, access, and site movement.
• Strong experience in vendor and contractor management across multiple service lines.
• Experience in pre-opening and activation phases of large-scale venues, events, or destinations (preferred).
• Experience in transitioning from readiness to live operations and managing ongoing operational cycles (preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong experience in large-scale event operations and delivery.
• Ability to manage complex logistics and site operations.
• Strong knowledge of crowd management and HSE standards.
• Ability to operate in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Cross-functional coordination and execution capability.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in high-pressure, real-time environments with critical decision-making responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate with government authorities, regulatory bodies, and security agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional operational teams and on-ground workforce.

Additional Information

Key Success Metrics

• Operational delivery against plan.
• Visitor experience and satisfaction.
• Health, safety, and security performance.
• Efficiency of event execution.
• Readiness and delivery of major events.