
Qiddiya Investment Company
Director - Design Governance
- Permanent
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Experience 15 - 20 yrs
- Urgent
Job expiry date: 25/12/2025
Job overview
Date posted
10/11/2025
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Salary
SAR 60,000 - 100,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
15 - 20 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Masters degree
Expiration date
25/12/2025
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.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of design governance frameworks ensuring consistency and compliance across all Qiddiya projects
- Oversee review and monitoring processes to ensure project designs adhere to Board-approved concepts, CGIs, and imagery
- Establish and manage a centralized repository of dated and approved design visuals for compliance tracking and reference
- Coordinate with Design Excellence and other business units to resolve design discrepancies and enforce corrective measures
- Drive collaboration between design, project management, and governance teams to embed design standards and resolve compliance issues
- Supervise preparation and delivery of reports on design compliance status, audit findings, and process improvement recommendations
- Develop and manage workflows for design governance procedures and documentation standards
- Participate actively in departmental senior management meetings, ensuring implementation of relevant agenda items with appropriate resources
- Provide quality control reviews and feedback to align with overall design and project objectives
- Mentor and guide team members in project coordination, design documentation, and analytical tasks
- Support corporate programmes for continuous improvement, lessons learned, and process optimization
- Ensure alignment of design governance practices with Qiddiya’s identity, objectives, and quality expectations
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to promote a culture of excellence and accountability in design delivery
Experience & skills
- Master’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Design, Project Management, or a related field
- Minimum 18 years of relevant experience in project coordination and design governance within large-scale, multidisciplinary, or giga-project environments
- Extensive knowledge of design processes, standards, and lifecycle management for diverse building typologies and urban projects
- Experience in developing and implementing design governance systems, audits, and compliance frameworks
- Familiarity with KSA regulatory environment, governing agencies, and codes relevant to various design disciplines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel capabilities
- Proven leadership in managing cross-functional and matrixed teams
- Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills with ability to work under pressure
- Professional registration with an internationally recognized architectural or design body preferred
- Fluency in English required; Arabic proficiency is an advantage
- Experience working on client-side within real estate development organizations is a strong advantage
- Demonstrated ability to build a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within design and governance teams