Senior Director- Development - Hotels - 50013004 (RS8)

Role Overview

Senior Director, Development - Hotels at Qiddiya Investment Company. This role leads the end-to-end development of hospitality assets within Qiddiya's landmark destination in the Kingdom, shaping entertainment, culture and hospitality offerings.

Company Overview

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

Role Purpose

Lead the strategic development of hospitality assets from concept through delivery and operational readiness. Shape asset strategy, guide critical decisions, drive cross-functional alignment and ensure assets deliver distinctive guest experiences, strong commercial performance and long-term value for both individual assets and the wider destination.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Positioning

• Lead the strategic development of hospitality assets from early-stage briefing through to delivery, handover and operational readiness.
• Shape asset strategy, feasibility and business plans to define positioning, guest experience and value creation.
• Provide strategic oversight of key asset decisions, including positioning, room mix, amenities, guest experience and operational planning to maximise differentiation and portfolio performance.

Cross-Functional Alignment

• Drive cross-functional alignment across strategy, asset management, design, delivery and Operators to ensure seamless progression from development through to operations.
• Lead key asset validation milestones, including mock-up rooms reviews and critical gateway decisions, balancing Operator, design, commercial and delivery requirements.
• Proactively manage interfaces, risks and opportunities across all development workstreams to protect value and maintain delivery momentum.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Ensure assets align with Qiddiya's vision and quality benchmarks, delivering best-in-class design and guest experience.
• Lead governance and executive reporting processes, clearly articulating asset strategy, development priorities, risks and recommendations in key forums.
• Influence senior stakeholders and drive key decisions through clear communication and storytelling.

Team Development

• Mentor, guide and develop teams, embedding strong development capability and best-practice approaches across the portfolio.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Development, Architecture, Engineering or related discipline.
• 20+ years' experience in real estate or hospitality development.
• Professional membership or recognised certification preferred (e.g. RICS, RIBA, PMP or equivalent).
• Proven track record delivering complex assets (e.g. luxury hospitality, mixed-use).
• Experience shaping development strategy, feasibility and positioning.
• Experience developing hospitality assets with Operator engagement (selection, onboarding or alignment).
• Experience across full development lifecycle from feasibility through delivery and handover.
• Experience working within multi-stakeholder, large-scale destination or master planned environments.
• GCC experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of value creation.
• Strong judgement in complex, high-value development environments.
• Ability to manage complexity across stakeholders, workstreams and project stages.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments, managing ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in project management and reporting tools (e.g. Aconex).

Additional Information

• The opportunity to be part of one of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious city developments.