Qiddiya Investment Company
Project Director - Residential Development
- Permanent
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Experience 15 - 20 yrs
Job expiry date: 01/01/2026
Job overview
Date posted
17/11/2025
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Salary
SAR 60,000 - 100,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
15 - 20 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
01/01/2026
Job description
The Project Director - Residential Development (RES7) will lead the stage gate governance and approval framework for all developments within the Qiddiya project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This senior leadership position acts as the central authority overseeing the progression of projects through defined stage gates, ensuring that no development advances without meeting strategic, financial, and quality objectives. The role demands expertise in managing large-scale real estate and infrastructure projects, driving alignment between multiple departments, and ensuring rigorous control over project deliverables. The incumbent will design, implement, and continuously refine Qiddiya’s stage gate processes, serving as the single point of contact for all approval requests across project phases. This includes facilitating high-level executive decision-making, mitigating risks, and monitoring performance through KPIs such as gate pass rates, approval timelines, and deferral reasons. The Project Director will provide strategic oversight, ensuring every development aligns with Qiddiya’s master plan and corporate objectives, while maintaining governance discipline and operational efficiency. The position also requires robust stakeholder management across C-suite executives, department heads, and project teams, ensuring transparent communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record in implementing governance frameworks within major developments or PMOs, strong understanding of the full project lifecycle from feasibility to commissioning, and the ability to operate in complex, matrixed environments.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Lead and oversee Qiddiya’s stage gate governance framework for all residential development projects
- Serve as the company-wide custodian of the stage gate process, ensuring compliance and alignment with strategic and quality objectives
- Attend and facilitate Stage Gate Review meetings with senior executives and key stakeholders to support decision-making
- Define, implement, and continuously improve stage gate procedures, templates, and tools to streamline project approvals
- Act as the single point of contact for development and project teams seeking phase progression approvals
- Manage the end-to-end approval workflow, ensuring timely feedback, documentation, and decision tracking
- Identify and resolve potential bottlenecks in the approval process to maintain project momentum
- Secure internal approvals and alignment before submission to governance committees
- Maintain strong relationships with Project Directors, Department Heads, and C-level executives to align project objectives
- Communicate stage gate requirements, expectations, and timelines across all project teams
- Report regularly to senior management and PMO on the status and progress of projects in the approval pipeline
- Ensure all project proposals align with Qiddiya’s strategic master plan and business goals
- Vet deliverables for completeness, accuracy, and quality before advancing to the next stage gate
- Champion risk management, ensuring risks, mitigations, and opportunities are properly documented and addressed
- Develop and manage dashboards and KPIs tracking project progress through the stage gate process
- Report on performance metrics including approval cycle times, gate pass rates, and deferral causes
- Drive continuous improvement of governance and approval mechanisms within the PMO framework
- Foster cross-functional collaboration to resolve dependencies that impact approval efficiency
- Promote consistency and accountability across all development phases, from concept to handover
Experience & skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business Administration, or related field
- Master’s degree preferred
- Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in project management, with at least 8 years at a director or senior leadership level
- Proven experience designing and implementing formal stage gate governance processes within large-scale developments or PMOs
- Demonstrated ability to influence and align C-level executives and senior stakeholders in matrixed organizations
- Comprehensive understanding of project lifecycle phases including feasibility, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning
- Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary teams across large infrastructure, real estate, or entertainment projects
- Preferred experience with mega-projects in the entertainment, hospitality, or mixed-use development sectors
- Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, or equivalent highly desirable
- Strong governance, communication, and presentation skills to facilitate executive-level decision-making
- Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with a focus on quality and risk mitigation
- Ability to develop and maintain performance tracking dashboards and governance reporting tools
- Experience operating within the GCC region preferred, with knowledge of regional development frameworks
- Fluency in English; Arabic proficiency is an advantage
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and results-driven leadership
