Director System Safety and Assurance

Mace; As Sudiyah; Hybrid; OMR 18,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking a senior safety assurance leader to drive portfolio-wide safety strategies on a major Saudi Arabia project. The role focuses on embedding compliant safety plans, evidence, and governance across design, construction and operations, coordinating across teams and suppliers.

You will lead assurance activities, foster collaboration, and promote best practices, with emphasis on ALARP risks, safety performance metrics, and sustainable delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in railway safety or engineering; master's preferred.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent registration.
• 20+ years in land transport design/construction/ops; 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Middle East experience is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of smart-city frameworks and sustainable design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement portfolio-wide safety assurance strategies, plans, processes and tools.
• Define safety assurance lifecycle including V&V, risk, governance, evidence and reporting.
• Ensure system safety risks are tolerable and ALARP with validation.
• Coordinate independent assurance, audits, risk workshops, and performance monitoring.
• Collaborate with teams, partners and authorities to submit safety plans and evidence.
• Build capability through inclusive leadership and knowledge sharing.
• Represent programme with stakeholders and pursue industry best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Safety governance

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in railway/engineering

Chartered Engineer status or equivalent

20+ years in land transport design/construction/ops

Tools

RAM analysis tools

Safety assurance tools

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The Project

This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest programmes in Saudi Arabia. This unique project consists of major mixed-use development including sports facilities, entertainment and arts along with all associated infrastructure.

Mace is one of the delivery partners requiring high-calibre and experienced professionals to lead integrated teams throughout each phase of the project.

You will lead portfolio-wide safety assurance, working with multidisciplinary teams and supply-chain partners to embed compliant strategies, manage key approvals and support the safe delivery of an integrated, high-performing transport system from design through to operations.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Develop and implement portfolio-wide safety assurance strategies, plans, processes and tools, supporting statutory compliance and timely technical approvals.
• Define the safety assurance lifecycle, including V&V, safety risk, governance, evidence and reporting, aligned with project needs and recognised standards.
• Ensure system safety risks are tolerable and ALARP, with hazards, RAM targets and operational requirements verified and validated before acceptance.
• Coordinate independent assurance, audits, inspections, risk workshops and performance monitoring across projects and suppliers.
• Work collaboratively with project teams, partners and authorities to prepare submissions, secure approvals and deliver compliant safety plans and evidence.
• Build capability through inclusive leadership, coaching and knowledge sharing, promoting accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Represent the programme with key stakeholders and contribute to industry good practice, emerging trends and sustainable delivery.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You’ll Need To Have

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, with a focus on railway systems safety; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Recognised professional membership and Chartered Engineer status, or an equivalent internationally recognised professional registration.
• 20 years’ relevant experience across land transport design, construction and/or operations and maintenance programmes, including at least five years in a senior leadership role within a major-project environment.
• Middle East experience is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of smart-city frameworks and sustainable design principles.
• Proven experience developing and delivering safety assurance evidence within safety-critical transport environments.
• Detailed knowledge of safety performance measures and international benchmarks.
• Necessary visa criteria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have relevant work experience working on high-valued projects/programmes for a project management consultancy business, which are required for immigration and client approval.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well:

We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise:

We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel:

We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.