Job description

Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is seeking a Director - Design Governance to join its Design Excellence (DEx) department within the CDU Business Unit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This senior leadership role oversees the implementation and enforcement of design governance frameworks to ensure alignment, consistency, quality, and compliance across all Qiddiya projects. The Director will act as custodian of the Qiddiya design principles and corporate vision, ensuring all architectural, interior, and urban design works adhere to Board-approved concepts, standards, and imagery. Reporting within the DEx department, the incumbent will lead a high-performing team responsible for reviewing and monitoring design submissions, managing design compliance audits, coordinating corrective actions, and maintaining a centralized repository of approved design materials. The Director will collaborate extensively with development, project management, and corporate teams to resolve compliance issues and embed design excellence into all project workflows. Responsibilities also include providing quality control reviews, producing governance reports, mentoring team members, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the department. The role requires an accomplished professional with a minimum of 18 years of experience in design coordination and governance, ideally within large-scale or giga-projects in the Middle East. Candidates should possess deep technical expertise in architecture or design disciplines, familiarity with KSA regulatory frameworks, and strong leadership and communication skills. A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, stakeholder management expertise, and ability to manage multiple complex deliverables under pressure are essential. Professional registration with an internationally recognized design or architectural body is preferred.