Director of Program Advisory📣 Job Ad

About Buro Happold and the Role

Buro Happold is seeking a Director of Program Advisory to join its team. This full-time role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is central to the operational performance and growth of the Program Advisory division. The practice is committed to sustainability, equity, social, and performance outcomes, offering opportunities within an inclusive and diverse environment.

Role Purpose and Scope

The Director of Program Advisory will provide direction across four integrated vertical areas: Capital Projects Advisory, Implementation Planning, Program and Project Management, and Project Controls. The core purpose is to ensure these areas operate as a connected advisory platform, supporting clients from front-end strategy through to delivery. This role offers a significant opportunity to contribute to the strategic plan and leave a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the growth, positioning, and performance of the Program Advisory business across all four vertical areas, developing an integrated offer that combines technical insight, advisory excellence, and delivery expertise.
• Build trusted relationships with senior clients and act as a strategic advisor on capital investment, implementation, delivery models, governance, operating models, and performance improvement across complex programs and portfolios, with particular focus on opportunities in KSA and the wider Middle East.
• Shape and continuously evolve the Program Advisory service offering, ensuring strong connectivity between Capital Projects Advisory, Implementation Planning, Program and Project Management, and Project Controls.
• Align Program Advisory services with other engineering disciplines across the business, ensuring integrated solutions that connect technical design, delivery strategy, controls, and client outcomes.
• Provide executive oversight across major commissions, ensuring technical quality, commercial performance, integrated delivery, and effective resolution of complex client, operational, and program risks.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing multidisciplinary team, while strengthening capability, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across the advisory business.
• Drive innovation across Program Advisory services, including the development and adoption of AI, automation, and other digital initiatives that improve insight, efficiency, and client outcomes.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience (10+ years) in infrastructure, capital projects, program management, and advisory environments.
• Proven experience leading a business unit, practice, service line, or major function within a consulting, advisory, or program management organization.
• A strong track record in business development, client leadership, and commercial performance.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Demonstrated expertise across capital advisory, implementation planning, program and project management, and project controls.
• Ability to advise senior stakeholders on complex technical and delivery matters.
• Strong understanding of the full program lifecycle—from strategy and business case through planning, design, procurement, delivery, operational readiness, and execution—including cost, schedule, risk, performance, and benefits realization.
• Strong program advisory, technical, and delivery credibility.
• Commercially astute, client-focused, and outcome-driven.
• A strategic thinker capable of connecting front-end advisory with implementation and delivery.
• A collaborative leader who builds integrated teams, trusted relationships, and high-performing service offerings.

Reporting and Market Focus

This role reports to the Program Advisory Partner. The primary market focus for this position is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the wider Middle East region.