Development Director Hospitality📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Qiddiya Investment Company is developing a landmark destination in the Kingdom, with the Hospitality Business Unit focused on creating a portfolio of hotel assets. To support the delivery of these assets to high standards of design quality, guest experience, and commercial performance, we are seeking an experienced Development Director. This role will oversee the end-to-end development of hospitality assets, from initial concept through to delivery, ensuring they align with Qiddiya’s vision and deliver long-term value.

Role Overview

The Development Director will be responsible for shaping the development strategy for hospitality assets, guiding critical decisions, and ensuring that each asset provides distinctive guest experiences, strong commercial performance, and contributes to the wider destination's objectives. This position requires close collaboration with key stakeholders to manage complexity, drive alignment, and ensure assets are commercially robust and aligned with Qiddiya’s overall vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of hospitality assets from early-stage briefing through to delivery, handover, and operational readiness.
• Shape asset strategy, feasibility studies, and business plans to define positioning, guest experience, and value creation.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across strategy, asset management, design, delivery, and Operators to ensure seamless progression from development to operations.
• Ensure assets align with Qiddiya’s vision and quality benchmarks, delivering best-in-class design and guest experience.
• Provide strategic oversight of key asset decisions, including positioning, room mix, amenities, guest experience, and operational planning.
• Lead key asset validation milestones, such as mock-up room reviews and critical gateway decisions, balancing Operator, design, commercial, and delivery requirements.
• Proactively manage interfaces, risks, and opportunities across all development workstreams to protect value and maintain delivery momentum.
• Lead governance and executive reporting processes, clearly articulating asset strategy, development priorities, risks, and recommendations.
• Mentor, guide, and develop teams, embedding strong development capability and best-practice approaches.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development, Architecture, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 15+ years of experience in real estate or hospitality development.
• Proven track record delivering complex assets, such as luxury hospitality or mixed-use developments.
• Experience developing hospitality assets with Operator engagement, including selection, onboarding, or alignment.
• Experience across the full development lifecycle, from feasibility through delivery and handover.
• Experience working within multi-stakeholder, large-scale destination or master-planned environments.
• GCC experience is preferred.
• Professional membership or recognized certification (*, RICS, RIBA, PMP, or equivalent) is preferred.

Required Skills and Attributes

• Experience shaping development strategy, feasibility, and positioning.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of value creation.
• Strong judgment in complex, high-value development environments.
• Ability to manage complexity across stakeholders, workstreams, and project stages.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive key decisions through clear communication.
• Comfort operating in fast-paced environments, managing ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in project management and reporting tools (*, Aconex).

Work Location and Type

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.