Senior Director - Project Design - SDU - 20012794 - HS8

Role Overview

Senior Director - Project Design for the Strategic Development Unit (SDU) at Qiddiya Investment Company. This pivotal role leads the design aspects of large-scale projects, ensuring successful delivery while maintaining alignment with Qiddiya's overall strategic objectives and brand vision.

Company Overview

Qiddiya Investment Company operates a Strategic Development Unit (SDU) with a headquarters team and multiple Business Units across different sectors.

Role Purpose

Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining design and consultancy management frameworks, governance and operating models for the QDC HQ team. Ensure design processes are developed and rolled out across all Business Units and sectors, support delivery in Business Units when required, and lead assigned HQ special projects accountable for meeting quality, time, budget and HSSE requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Framework & Governance

• Establish and update design and project management frameworks for all delivery methods, including Self-Delivery, Delivery Partner, Construction Management, and Traditional contracting.
• Develop and update policies, processes, procedures, manuals and templates for design and consultancy, including Project Management Consultancy (PMC), for all projects and delivery methods.
• Define governance processes including detailed RACI matrices for all projects across all stages.
• Develop Design Strategy requirements and templates to be applied for all projects and delivery methods.
• Support and coordinate with the HQ Operations Director and Project Director (Delivery) in establishing governance and operational models for the complete program lifecycle.

Quality & Compliance

• Coordinate Technical and Peer review design management processes and requirements with the Technical Director.
• Develop and update Health, Safety, Security and Environmental management requirements for the design phase, including Design HSSE Reviews, and coordinate with HSE and Security Managers.
• Develop and update Sustainability management requirements for the design phase and coordinate with Sustainability Managers.
• Ensure compliance of assigned HQ special projects with all QDC policies, processes, procedures and requirements, confirming projects meet HSE, budget, schedule and quality standards.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Support the MMC Director in establishing overall MMC strategy and design integration processes for all delivery models.
• Support the Procurement Director in establishing design and consultancy requirements and standards for prequalification and RFP processes, and participate in consultant selection processes when required.
• Support the HQ Executive Director in presentations and submittals for business line, project and budget approvals.
• Maintain strong stakeholder management skills across executive leadership, project teams, CPU, consultants, contractors, and suppliers.

Project Delivery & Accountability

• Own delivery of assigned HQ special projects, including all approvals, reporting, management of internal and external stakeholders, financial closure and handover.
• Support Business Units in project delivery through peer reviews, consultant selection and management when required, and project audits to ensure compliance with established processes, procedures and standards for design and consultancy, including PMC.

Continuous Improvement & Development

• Coordinate input from Business Units on HQ management and governance framework processes and standards, updating documentation as part of the continuous improvement cycle.
• Lead and support preparation of training materials required for implementation of policies, processes and procedures, and participate in training or presentations when required.
• Participate in QDC Mentoring and Capability Building programs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Engineering as minimum.
• Master's Degree in related fields is preferred.
• 20–25 years' experience, of which at least 5 years have been in a senior leadership role within procurement, commercial, or supply chain functions on major programs or large-scale developments.
• Significant experience (5+ years) in KSA within large-scale developments or giga-projects.

Skills & Competencies

• Thorough knowledge of procurement governance, strategic sourcing, and supply chain management principles.
• Proven experience establishing procurement frameworks, policies, and assurance models for complex, multi-project programs.
• Strong understanding of multiple delivery models, including Self-Delivery, Construction Management, Delivery Partner, and Traditional contracting.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic and long-lead procurement, market engagement, and supplier capacity management.
• Proven leadership in providing central functional procurement services to internal Business Units and senior stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across executive leadership, project teams, CPU, consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of professionalism, judgment, and commercial acumen.
• Strong problem-solving and risk management capability.
• Excellent time management and ability to operate effectively under pressure.

Additional Information

• Applications closing 1st July 2026.
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package offered.