Director Development

About the Role

Qiddiya is seeking a Director - Development to join its team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves implementing various development tasks within the Qiddiya City-Wide development, focusing on the integration of roads, transport, utilities, security, hydrology, environment, and landscape. The Director will ensure adherence to Qiddiya's development processes and regulatory frameworks, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams and managing stakeholder relationships to align development objectives with planning, design, and operational stages.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the process, progress, budget, and program for development from planning to project handover, incorporating regional entity requirements.
• Comprehend Qiddiya's development processes, governance procedures, and procurement policies to support daily activities.
• Extract key development parameters from strategy briefs, local laws, environmental constraints, and future-proofing requirements.
• Translate utility operator and local authority requirements into standard development briefs.
• Prepare stage gate presentations and governance approval papers, coordinating with internal stakeholders and interfacing departments.
• Develop procurement strategies in coordination with shared services units to meet development objectives and approved budgets.
• Evaluate land use proposals and proposed changes from asset and planning teams to ensure alignment with Qiddiya City policies and regulations.
• Act as a liaison between the master developer, architects, engineers, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate regulatory approvals and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including governmental agencies and service providers.
• Evaluate proposed infrastructure assets, network deployment plans, and public realm requirements for capacity, location, program, and constructability.
• Provide input into procurement packaging, budget, cost estimation, and project programs, identifying gaps and ensuring delivery within approved parameters.
• Review and comment on project designs, identify risks, and propose mitigation plans for project delivery and execution.
• Provide support and direction to project teams, monitoring progress, conducting site inspections, and fostering continuous improvement.
• Manage disputes, issues, and conflicts, and propose mitigation measures to reduce project delays.
• Monitor the progress of approval processes, resolve delays, and maintain accurate records of permits, approvals, and correspondence.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and reports on project progress and budget performance.
• Stay informed about changes in regulations, policies, and strategies at regional, national, state, and Qiddiya City levels.
• Advocate for master plans, designs, and project approvals by presenting data and justifications to regulatory bodies and stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in development projects.
• Proven track record of securing permits for complex, large-scale developments.
• 5-10 years of experience in land use planning, permitting and compliance, development approvals, master planning, and/or land development, with at least 3 years on large-scale projects.
• Experience in theming and façade installation for infrastructure is desirable.
• In-Kingdom experience and relations with suppliers and contractors are desirable.
• Private sector development experience is highly desirable.

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of master planning processes, end-to-end land development, stakeholder management, and process management.
• Familiarity with GIS tools, CAD software, and environmental impact analysis is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of zoning laws, entitlement processes, and regulatory frameworks, ideally within the GCC.
• Adept at managing multiple stakeholders and navigating political landscapes.
• Fastidious attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence decision-makers via PowerPoint presentations.

Work Environment

This role operates in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, requiring adaptability to changing priorities. The Director will work alongside industry-leading professionals on a globally significant giga-project, contributing to urban development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.