Executive Director ICT Operations (Technology Lead) Sports BU SPA

About Qiddiya and the Role

Qiddiya is seeking an Executive Director ICT Operations (Technology Lead) for its Sports Business Unit (SBU). This is a full-time executive role based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, responsible for defining, governing, and delivering end-to-end sports technology strategy across all SBU assets. The role focuses on the entire lifecycle, from early planning and concept design through construction, commissioning, and structured transition into operations under the Asset Management organization. This position ensures that sports venues are designed, delivered, and documented with full lifecycle integrity, and that technology intent, architectural decisions, and integration logic are effectively transferred and retained as organizational knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the SBU Technology Strategy in alignment with the Sports BU Target Operating Model and the Qiddiya Technology Mandate & Operating Model (QTMOM), in collaboration with Qiddiya Tech and Asset Management.
• Represent the SBU at an executive level within the Qiddiya-wide Technology Board and related governance forums.
• Establish clear decision rights, standards, and lifecycle ownership for technologies across all assets.
• Act as the executive technology authority across Stage Gates for all sports assets, including stadiums, arenas, academies, training centers, and public sport facilities.
• Ensure technology requirements are embedded early in master planning, concept design, and detailed design to prevent retrofits and value leakage.
• Oversee complex technology scopes, including digital infrastructure, smart venues, broadcast, fan experience, performance technology, data platforms, and cybersecurity.
• Lead technology delivery for multi-asset sports ecosystems, encompassing integrated sports districts, mixed-use developments, and city-scale environments.
• Ensure seamless integration with mobility, smart city platforms, digital identity, payments, and city operations.
• Co-create and lead an industry-leading Sports Technology Partnership Program in close collaboration with Qiddiya Strategy and Commercial teams.
• Structure long-term partnerships (OEMs, integrators, telcos, cloud, media, data, performance tech) to generate direct revenues (sponsorships, naming rights, data & media monetization), Capex savings, and Opex efficiencies.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Over 15 years of senior technology leadership experience, including executive ownership of technology for major sports venues and sports organizations.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale, complex sports and entertainment assets from design through live operations, such as stadiums, arenas, and mixed-use districts.
• Demonstrated success integrating technology across sports districts or metropolitan-scale developments (*, stadium + entertainment + commercial + public realm).

Executive Capabilities

• Former or current CTO / EVP / Executive Technology Leader for Tier-1 stadiums, sports franchises, or major sports entertainment districts.
• Deep hands-on leadership across venue technology architecture & delivery, broadcast & live production ecosystems, digital fan platforms & data monetization, wireless & fiber mega-infrastructure, and cybersecurity & mission-critical operations.
• Exceptional ability to operate at the intersection of technology, design, and executive governance.

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and operates within a dynamic environment focused on delivering globally competitive and future-ready sports assets integrated with the wider Qiddiya city technology ecosystem.