Arada | Authority Approvals & Stakeholder Relations, Riyadh

Arada; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Arada in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is seeking a Manager for Authority Approvals & Stakeholder Relations to lead government engagement, design approvals, and regulatory navigation for large-scale developments.

You will coordinate with authorities, consultants, and project teams to ensure timely submissions, compliance with Saudi codes, and successful project delivery across master planning, infrastructure, and buildings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or related field.
• 8–12 years of experience in authority approvals, government relations, or regulatory affairs.
• Experience in real estate development or master planning in Saudi Arabia is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi codes and government processes.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary liaison between ARADA and Saudi government authorities.
• Lead end-to-end management of submissions, permits, approvals, and regulatory requirements for master planning and infrastructure.
• Coordinate with design teams, consultants, and contractors to ensure compliant submissions.
• Monitor timelines, identify delays, and provide mitigation strategies.
• Provide regulatory insights and governance reporting to senior leadership.

Skills

Authority management

Government relations

Development approvals

Stakeholder coordination

Regulatory compliance

Reporting & governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or related field

Job description

About us

At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.

Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.

Role Purpose

The Manager – Authority Approvals & Stakeholder Relations will be responsible for leading all authority engagement, regulatory development design approvals, and government stakeholder coordination for ARADA’s developments in Saudi Arabia.

The role will act as the primary interface between ARADA, submissions compliance government entities, development design authorities, consultants, and project stakeholders, ensuring timely approvals, effective communication, and successful navigation of regulatory requirements throughout the development lifecycle.

The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of Saudi design code compliance, submissions requirement compliance, Saudi government processes, established authority relationships, and proven experience managing approvals for large-scale real estate, master planning, and mixed-use developments.

Key Responsibilities

Authority Management & Government Relations

• Act as the primary point of contact between ARADA and Saudi government authorities, municipalities, regulatory bodies, and relevant agencies.

• Establish and maintain strong professional relationships with key government stakeholders to facilitate smooth project approvals.

• Manage authority engagement strategies throughout the project lifecycle, from concept planning through construction and completion.

• Represent ARADA in meetings, workshops, and discussions with government entities.

• Provide guidance to internal teams on relative design code, authority requirements, approval processes, approximate submission cost and regulatory expectations.

Development Approvals & Permitting

• Lead end-to-end management of authority submissions, permits, approvals, and regulatory requirements for master planning, infrastructure, and building projects.

• Coordinate with Design, Development, Project Management, Consultants, and Contractors to ensure complete and compliant submission packages.

• Review submission requirements and ensure documentation is aligned with Saudi codes and regulations and authority standards.

• Monitor approval timelines, identify potential delays and risks, and implement mitigation strategies.

• Track approvals, comments, revisions, and authority responses through structured reporting mechanisms.

• Ensure all required permits and approvals are obtained within agreed project timelines.

Consultant & Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with architects, engineers, consultants, and project teams to coordinate authority requirements and responses.

• Review consultant submissions prior to authority submission to ensure completeness and compliance.

• Facilitate communication between consultants and government entities and support to resolve technical comments and approval challenges.

• Support project teams by providing regulatory insights and authority guidance.

• Coordinate stakeholder meetings, workshops, and approval discussions.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain strong knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s planning regulations, development controls, building codes, and approval processes.

• Identify regulatory risks, approval challenges, and compliance gaps that may impact project delivery.

• Provide proactive recommendations to minimize approval risks and programmed delays.

• Maintain accurate records of authority submissions, approvals, correspondence, and commitments.

• Ensure compliance with government procedures and reporting requirements.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on approval status, risks, dependencies, and critical milestones.

• Maintain approval trackers, authority matrices, and stakeholder communication records.

• Prepare reports highlighting progress, challenges, and recommended actions.

• Support the implementation of governance processes related to authority management.

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Working Hours: 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Business Administration, or related field.

• Additional qualifications in project management, government relations, or development management are advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in authority approvals, government relations, stakeholder management, or regulatory affairs within:

  • Real estate development

  • Master development

  • Architecture/engineering consultancy

  • Construction or infrastructure sectors

• Proven experience managing approvals for large-scale developments, master plans, residential, mixed-use, hospitality, or commercial projects.

• Strong understanding of Saudi code reference ,Saudi government entities, municipalities, and regulatory frameworks.

• Established relationships with relevant Saudi authorities and stakeholders.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary consultants and project teams.

Using GenAI in Your Application Process

To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.

Why join Arada?

At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.