Project Director - Workplace (Urban Core) (REQ743)

Role Overview

Project Director - Workplace (Urban Core) at Qiddiya Investment Company, based in Riyadh / Qiddiya City, leading the design, planning and delivery of workplace interiors for the Qiddiya corporate headquarters integrated into new base buildings.

Company Overview

Qiddiya Investment Company is developing a world-class Grade A+ corporate headquarters spanning approximately 120,000 sqm to accommodate approximately 9,000 people. The facility is designed to enhance human performance, foster innovation, and set a benchmark for sustainable workplace design, providing a flexible and resilient environment that evolves with organizational needs.

Role Purpose

Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of the Qiddiya corporate headquarters workplace, from early concept and business case development through comprehensive briefs, design, procurement, construction, and operational handover. Ensure alignment between the corporate headquarters workplace and other QIC workplace projects while supporting the company's strategic objectives, governance requirements, and employee needs.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of the corporate headquarters workplace, ensuring alignment with workplace strategy, program, budget, quality, compliance requirements, and employee needs.
• Align workplace delivery with consistency across other Qiddiya Investment Company workplace projects in line with the company's strategic objectives and governance requirements.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders including the Office Development team, Corporate Workplace Team, HR, IT, Smart Buildings Team, DMO, ESG, and Corporate Governance to ensure the workplace reflects current and future needs.
• Manage external consultants, project management consultants, workplace design teams, quantity surveyors, and contractors on behalf of the company as client.
• Coordinate all phases of workplace delivery, with particular emphasis on front-end design management, including workplace strategy, feasibility, briefing, concept design, design development, approvals, procurement, construction, fit-out, commissioning, and transition to occupancy.
• Work closely with Workplace Delivery teams to ensure construction procurement, phasing, quality and compliance are achieved across all workplace projects.
• Ensure workplace requirements are integrated into the base building design, infrastructure, and delivery strategy from the earliest design stages.
• Coordinate key interfaces such as spatial planning, building services, vertical transportation, access, security, technology, sustainability, and operational requirements.

Strategic Vision & Internal Alignment

• Translate the company's strategic goals, brand identity, and public mission into workplace design and delivery outcomes.
• Lead internal engagement to shape the headquarters as a high-performing, flexible, inclusive and sustainable workplace.
• Promote alignment between the physical workspace and the organization's operating model, functional briefing, technology roadmap, and corporate culture.
• Support leadership in driving positive organizational change associated with the move.

Governance & Public Accountability

• Ensure robust reporting and project governance in line with organizational frameworks.
• Prepare and present business cases, board papers, risk reports, and budget updates for executive stakeholders.
• Ensure procurement activities meet probity, equity, and value-for-money principles in line with corporate guidelines.
• Demonstrate stewardship of funds through strong cost control, transparency, and risk management.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with executive leadership and internal stakeholders to ensure project goals are well-communicated and supported.
• Act as an internal point of contact and trusted advisor to the internal client team throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate user engagement, change management, and communication strategies to prepare the organization for transition.
• Represent the Qiddiya corporate workplace across senior leadership forums and act as a key liaison across internal departments.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Tertiary qualifications in Project Management, Construction Management, Architecture or related fields are imperative.
• Professional certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or construction management are desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 15+ years of experience leading the delivery of complex large-scale integrated mixed-use developments.
• Minimum 15+ years' experience leading the design and delivery of complex corporate workplace interiors, including large-scale headquarters or campus-style workplace projects.
• Proven track record leading medium-to-large commercial workplace projects through front-end design phases, including workplace strategy, briefing, concept design, design development, consultant coordination, and stakeholder approvals.
• Demonstrated client-side experience managing multiple projects across diverse asset classes.
• Proven track record delivering major developments from design through construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Experience in the design and delivery of integrated workplace fit-out projects would be beneficial.
• Experience managing large multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teams.
• Understanding of ESG ratings and sustainability standards for commercial office development and workplace interiors, including LEED, Green Star, BREEAM, WELL, or equivalent frameworks.
• Strong programme management, governance, and project controls experience.
• Experience working within master developer, giga-project, public sector, or large mixed-use development environments.
• GCC experience is desirable but not essential.
• GCC and international mega-project experience highly desirable.
• Ability to take ownership and responsibility for all aspects of workplace projects, including preparation of project and design briefs, consultant procurement, design management, contractor procurement, delivery oversight, handover, and operational readiness.
• Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels, including internal departments, client groups, consultants, contractors, and senior leadership.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Acumen

• Strong understanding of workplace strategy, workplace planning, and fit-out delivery.
• Skilled in project budgeting, procurement, program management, risk, and value engineering.
• Familiarity with government or public-sector procurement processes and contract management.
• Understanding and experience in delivering sustainability standards (e.g., Green Star, WELL) and accessibility compliance (e.g., DDA).

Strategic & Business Skills

• Demonstrated ability to translate organizational strategy into capital project outcomes.
• Skilled in writing and presenting business cases, executive reporting, and value-for-money assessments.
• Capable of balancing multiple internal priorities while delivering complex capital programs.
• High level of integrity and accountability in managing project budgets.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Lead through influence, build consensus, and foster alignment across departments.
• Communicate effectively with diverse internal audiences, from executives to staff groups.
• Guide organizational change related to workplace transformation.
• Analyze challenges analytically, pragmatically, and with a solutions-focused approach.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplace through people-centric leadership.
• Maintain focus and calm under pressure, navigating ambiguity with professionalism.

Additional Information

• Primarily Riyadh / Qiddiya City based with regular attendance at project sites, consultant offices, and workshops.
• May require travel within the GCC region and other international destinations subject to project requirements.
• Requires flexibility to engage cross-functional teams and consultants across various stages of planning and implementation, including consultants and stakeholders who may be based outside the region.