Development Manager - Football Training Centres (SPA176)

Qiddiya Investment Company; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm in sports infrastructure seeks a Development Manager to drive the development of Football Training Centres. This role requires at least 7 years of real estate development experience, ideally in sports, alongside strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective delivery of high-quality facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in real estate development, ideally in sports-related development.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of Football Training Centres, managing project scope, budgets, and schedules.
• Manage architects, engineers, and design phases.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic project planning & execution

Cross-functional coordination & leadership

Contract and consultant management

Design review & technical oversight

Stakeholder engagement & approvals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in real estate development, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management

Job description

Role Overview

The Development Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping Qiddiya’s world-class Football Training Centres. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the role helps drive front-end development from pre-concept stages through detailed design and delivery, ensuring every detail reflects Qiddiya’s ambition for design excellence, technical performance, and operational functionality. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to best in class facilities that will inspire athletes, elevate communities, and set new benchmarks for sporting infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Development Leadership

• Assist with the development of the Football Training Centres, from pre-concept through schematic design, tender, delivery and completion.
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, and key performance indicators.
• Coordinate with Qiddiya’s internal stakeholders and delivery teams to ensure integration and implementation.
• Coordinate and manage internal and external reporting and governance, ensuring compliance with program, policies and alignment with Qiddiya’s stakeholders

Design & Technical Management

• Manage architects, engineers, cost consultants and specialist designers through concept, schematic, and detailed design phases.
• Oversee the design process, ensuring alignment with Qiddiya’s stakeholders, standards, and operational requirements.
• Review and approve design deliverables to ensure technical compliance, cost efficiency, and constructability.

Stakeholder & Interface Management

• Ensure coordination with infrastructure, utilities, sustainability, and mobility teams during design and early delivery planning.
• Support stakeholder approvals, permitting, and regulatory submissions.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Support procurement workflows to align with company standards
• Identify and mitigate project risks during development.
• Assist with value engineering and design optimization to achieve cost and schedule targets without compromising quality.

Key Competencies

• Strategic project planning & execution
• Cross-functional coordination & leadership
• Contract and consultant management
• Design review & technical oversight
• Stakeholder engagement & approvals
• Governance and presentations

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate development, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management
• At least 7 years of experience in real estate development, ideally sports-related development is highly desirable.
• Comprehensive understanding of the full development lifecycle from concept through design, procurement, and governance.
• Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary interfaces and support the leadership of design and consultant teams.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in English; Arabic is advantageous.