Director - Cost Planning - Residential

Qiddiya | القدية; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 318,710 - 412,448; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya in Riyadh is seeking a Director of Cost Planning to influence design decisions and lead cost planning across villa and townhouse developments. This role demands 15+ years of cost planning experience and the ability to deliver simple insights to non-technical teams.

Ideal candidates will hold professional accreditations and have extensive experience in low-rise residential projects. You'll work closely with various teams, ensuring that design and budgets are aligned effectively.

Qualifications

• Strong Middle East experience, ideally delivering villas, townhouses or low-rise residential projects.
• Proven client-side cost planning experience.
• Confidence in leading design-to-budget discussions and challenging inefficient design.

Responsibilities

• Lead a consistent cost planning approach across all villa and townhouse assets.
• Ensure budgets shape design and cost vs value is tested at every stage.
• Provide early cost advice that steers feasibility, layouts and design direction.
• Manage and challenge external cost consultants.

Skills

Cost Planning expertise

Strong communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Benchmarking

Feasibility analysis

Education

Professional accreditation (RICS/AIQS preferred)

15+ years in cost planning

Job description

Qiddiya is building a new kind of city, a city of play, creativity and experience. The residential programme sits at the heart of that ambition. In this role, you'll influence early design decisions, make sure budgets drive outcomes, and lead a consistent cost planning approach across every villa and townhouse development. You'll work closely with development teams, challenge assumptions and translate technical detail into simple, practical advice that non-technical teams can use.

We're looking for a Director of Cost Planning who knows how to plan the cost, not cost the plan. Someone who can bring consistency, clarity and confidence to how we develop the residential product across Qiddiya's Residential Business Unit.

(!!!) This is a pure cost planning role, not project controls, not procurement and not about measuring bills of quantities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead a consistent cost planning approach across all villa and townhouse assets
• Ensure budgets shape design and cost vs value is tested at every stage
• Provide early cost advice that steers feasibility, layouts and design direction
• Support development teams with simple, structured cost insight they can use
• Manage and challenge external cost consultants to deliver clear, reliable cost plans
• Build and maintain benchmarking that supports fast, informed decision making
• Produce clean cost summaries and support smooth Stage Gate progress
• Explain complex technical matters in a clear, straightforward way for non-technical teams
• Work closely with design, development, procurement and finance to keep decisions on track

Requirements

• Strong Middle East experience, ideally delivering villas, townhouses or low-rise residential projects
• 15+ years in cost planning and related roles
• Proven client-side cost planning experience
• Confidence in leading design-to-budget discussions and challenging inefficient design
• Solid technical capability in Cost Planning, feasibility, benchmarking and value management
• Ability to translate technical cost information into simple, practical messages
• Collaborative mindset, strong communication skills and the ability to influence early decisions
• Professional accreditation such as RICS or AIQS preferred