Director Public Realm

About the Role

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Director - Public Realm to provide strategic and technical leadership for public realm projects across multiple districts within Qiddiya. This full-time position, based in Riyadh, Riyadh Province, involves leading the planning, design governance, and delivery oversight of significant public realm assets.

Role Purpose and Context

The Director will ensure that parks, streetscapes, public open spaces, and associated public realm assets are delivered in accordance with approved masterplans, citywide standards, Stage Gate requirements, and programme objectives. The role supports the implementation of citywide initiatives, including the Public Realm Design Manual (PRDM) and People First Principles, while serving as a key interface between district teams, consultants, infrastructure teams, and other business units.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead public realm planning and design management for assigned districts and strategic projects.
• Provide design governance and technical assurance across CMP, DMP, Land Servicing, and detailed design stages.
• Oversee consultant performance, design reviews, and delivery of public realm packages.
• Ensure compliance with Qiddiya Vision, City Framework Plan, PRDM, development controls, and citywide public realm standards.
• Coordinate integration of public realm with infrastructure, mobility, utilities, irrigation, sustainability, and operational requirements.
• Support Stage Gate submissions and provide executive-level recommendations on design, programme, risks, and delivery strategy.
• Manage and mentor multidisciplinary public realm teams, supporting capability development and succession planning.
• Lead stakeholder engagement with District Development Teams, Delivery Partners, consultants, and internal SMEs.
• Contribute to citywide public realm strategies, standards development, phasing plans, and operational readiness initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of high-quality, standards-compliant public realm designs.
• Timely support of district programmes and Stage Gate approvals.
• Effective management of consultant teams and design budgets.
• Successful implementation of citywide public realm standards and governance processes.
• Proactive identification and mitigation of design, programme, and delivery risks.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates for this Director role must possess over 10 years of relevant experience in public realm planning, design governance, and project delivery oversight. The position requires a proven track record in providing strategic and technical leadership within large-scale urban development projects.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. The role operates within a dynamic environment focused on the development and delivery of Qiddiya's diverse districts and citywide initiatives.