Project Director (Hospitality & Theme Park)

slihrms; Qatar; On-site; QAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

slihrms seeks an exceptional Project Director to lead the Project Management Consultancy team on a major theme park, waterpark and destination development in Qatar. You will provide strategic leadership from design through to handover, coordinating with operators, vendors and contractors to achieve on‑time, on‑budget delivery.

The role demands 20+ years of major project delivery, strong governance, risk and safety leadership, and the ability to chair executive forums and drive project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or construction discipline.
• Minimum 20 years of major project delivery experience.
• Experience leading a multi‑disciplinary project team through design, procurement, construction and handover.

Responsibilities

• Lead the PMC and supervision team across the project lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment with the Client’s vision and governance framework.
• Oversee design development, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.
• Manage interfaces with operator, vendors and specialists.
• Chair executive meetings and drive project governance and reporting.

Skills

Project leadership

Client representation

Stakeholder management

Design management

Construction management

PMCM experience

Risk management

HSE

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Project Director to lead the Project Management Consultancy (PMCM) team on a significant theme park, waterpark and destination development. The Project Director will provide strategic leadership and overall responsibility for project delivery throughout design management, procurement, construction, testing & commissioning, opening, handover and defects liability phases. Acting as the primary point of accountability to the Client, the successful candidate will drive achievement of project objectives related to schedule, cost, quality, safety, sustainability and stakeholder management while leading a multi‑disciplinary team of project controls, commercial, planning, design, HSE, QA/QC and construction management professionals, and managing the interfaces with the operator, ride and attraction vendors and specialist contractors.

Your role

Project Leadership & Client Representation

Serve as the primary representative of the Client across all project matters.

Lead and manage the PMC and Supervision team throughout the project lifecycle.

Maintain full alignment with the Client's vision, governance framework and development objectives.

Provide executive‑level advice and recommendations to facilitate informed decision‑making.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, authorities, operators, consultants, vendors and contractors.

Chair executive project meetings and governance forums.

Project Delivery Management

Lead delivery of the project in accordance with approved scope, budget, schedule and quality objectives.

Establish and maintain project governance, reporting and control processes.

Drive implementation of the Project Action Plan (PAP).

Ensure proactive identification and resolution of issues which may impact project delivery.

Oversee implementation of project management systems, dashboards and performance metrics.

Design & Technical Leadership

Manage design development from Concept and Schematic through IFC design and construction.

Lead design coordination across all disciplines and stakeholders, including creative, attraction and operator input.

Direct constructability, value engineering and design optimisation reviews.

Ensure compliance with project standards, regulations, operator requirements and Client requirements.

Theme Park & Waterpark Delivery

Oversee procurement and delivery of rides, show systems and attraction packages, including management of specialist vendors.

Oversee delivery of waterpark attractions, including slides, wave and river systems, water treatment and life safety systems.

Manage the integration of ride, show and waterpark systems with civil, structural, MEP and control systems.

Oversee delivery of themeing, scenic and rockwork packages in line with the approved creative intent.

Manage interfaces between the Client, operator, IP or brand partners, specialist vendors and contractors.

Ensure compliance with international ride and attraction safety standards.

Programme & Project Controls

Oversee development and maintenance of the Integrated Master Programme, including phased openings.

Monitor critical path activities and project milestones.

Lead schedule recovery planning and mitigation initiatives where required.

Review and approve project controls, reporting and forecasting outputs.

Commercial & Financial Management

Oversee project cost management and commercial administration.

Monitor budget performance, cash flow, contingencies and commitments.

Review variation orders, claims and commercial risks.

Provide strategic commercial recommendations to protect Client interests.

Support procurement, tender evaluation and award recommendations.

Construction Management

Direct construction management activities across all work packages.

Ensure contractors, consultants, specialist vendors and supervision teams perform in accordance with contractual obligations.

Monitor quality, safety, progress and productivity performance.

Resolve complex technical and commercial issues during execution.

Risk, Quality & HSE

Maintain project-wide risk management framework.

Lead risk workshops and mitigation planning.

Promote a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Ensure compliance with ISO‑based quality management principles and HSE requirements.

Drive achievement of zero‑harm project objectives.

Testing, Commissioning, Opening & Handover

Oversee testing and commissioning strategy and execution, including ride and attraction testing and certification.

Lead project readiness planning and operational transition.

Lead trial operations and soft opening with the operator.

Ensure successful handover of assets including O&M documentation, warranties, spares, training and as‑built records.

Manage defects liability period obligations through completion.

About you

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or related discipline.

Minimum 20 years of major project delivery