Associate Director Analytics & Crowd Dynamics📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Buro Happold is seeking an Associate Director Analytics & Crowd Dynamics to join its team in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position requires over 10 years of experience and focuses on leading complex transport and mobility projects within the Middle East region, specifically in Jeddah and Makkah.

Role Context and Responsibilities

This role involves leading multidisciplinary crowd movement and people-flow workstreams, acting as Project Director or discipline lead. The Associate Director will be responsible for programme, commercial performance, risk management, and client liaison on major projects. A key aspect of the role is to build and develop a high-performing regional crowd team through leadership, coaching, and mentoring of junior and mid-level staff.

• Lead project delivery, team creation, and work winning across complex projects in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
• Provide technical expertise in crowd movement, pedestrian dynamics, and people-flow planning, including strategy development, modelling, egress analysis, and operational planning.
• Offer strategic advice to clients and stakeholders on crowd-related solutions, ensuring integration with master planning, transport strategy, architecture, and operational requirements.
• Ensure project quality is best-in-class through robust internal review processes and consistent application of methodologies.
• Develop and maintain positive client and stakeholder relationships, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Collaborate with global crowd specialists and regional teams to share knowledge and align technical standards.
• Review, direct, and compile high-quality technical reports, modelling outputs, and presentations, presenting clear recommendations.
• Support the growth of the regional crowd dynamics offering by defining service lines, strengthening capability, and recruiting talent.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, transport planning, urban planning, architecture, or a related field, with significant exposure to people-movement, crowd safety, or complex environments. A proven track record of over 15 years in crowd dynamics, pedestrian movement, or related fields is required, with demonstrated experience leading complex crowd and people-flow projects in the Middle East. This includes experience as a Project Director or equivalent, with responsibility for commercial performance, programme, and client relationships.

• Extensive experience in leading and directing complex crowd and people-flow projects in the Middle East, including major events, strategic masterplans, and station/venue studies.
• Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with advanced crowd and pedestrian simulation software (*, MassMotion, Legion, Pathfinder).
• Recognition as a thought leader in crowd and people-movement, capable of shaping technical approaches and delivering innovative solutions.
• Strong understanding of crowd psychology, behaviour under normal and emergency conditions, and contemporary crowd management principles.
• Proven record in work winning, including opportunity identification, bid strategy contribution, and proposal leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and mentor teams, fostering a collaborative culture.

Required Skills

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder-management skills are essential for building trusted relationships and presenting complex technical material effectively. Strong critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including experience with large datasets and observational studies, are also required. The ability to work independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, coordinate effectively with various specialists, prioritize workload, and manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines is crucial.

Work Environment and Culture

This is a full-time position based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with potential project involvement across the Middle East region. Buro Happold offers a strong learning culture and an entrepreneurial mindset. The practice is committed to sustainability, equity, and social outcomes, fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where employees contribute to a more equitable world. Flexible working arrangements are supported, and the company is dedicated to continuous professional development, offering opportunities for growth and learning at all career stages.