Director, Direct Hajj Business Center - Governmental Services | Saudi Arabia

RAWAJ; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

RAWAJ is seeking a Director to lead the Direct Hajj Business Center, overseeing strategy, performance, and a multi-functional operating model within the government services domain. The role requires deep Hajj ecosystem knowledge and the ability to manage complex, cross-border collaborations across regulators, partners and service providers.

The ideal candidate will drive digital transformation, risk management, and continuous improvement while ensuring peak-season readiness and a seamless

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive professional experience within complex, multidisciplinary operational environments.
• Senior leadership experience managing large teams, departments, programs and strategic initiatives.
• Deep experience within the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem and Direct Hajj model.
• Experience working with participating countries, regulators, service providers and other stakeholders.
• Strong exposure to Hajj-season operations and peak periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, operating model and overall performance of the Direct Hajj Business Center.
• Develop and execute integrated Hajj plans covering operations, services, resources and timelines.
• Oversee the end-to-end pilgrim journey and coordinate across all touchpoints.
• Lead cross-functional teams and strategic initiatives to ensure timely execution.
• Manage relationships with government entities, participating countries, regulators, partners and service providers.
• Oversee service-provider performance, SLAs and service quality.
• Lead operational risk, crisis management and business continuity planning during peak periods.
• Monitor budgets, resources, KPIs and take corrective actions as needed.
• Drive digital transformation and systems integration across the Center.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and pilgrim experience.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Digital transformation

Risk & crisis management

Budget & KPIs

Hajj ecosystem knowledge

International collaboration

Job description

Leverage your abilities and join the dynamic team of a leading company operating in the government services and process facilitation sector.

The Director of the Direct Hajj Business Center is responsible for the end-to-end leadership, strategic direction, operational readiness and successful delivery of the Direct Hajj business model.

The role leads an integrated, multi-functional operating environment covering strategy, planning, operations, programs and projects, stakeholder management, pilgrim services, service-provider management, digital enablement, governance, performance management, risk, crisis management and continuous improvement.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the strategy, operating model and overall performance of the Direct Hajj Business Center.
• Develop and execute integrated Hajj plans covering operations, services, resources, timelines and seasonal readiness.
• Oversee the end-to-end pilgrim journey and ensure effective coordination across all operational touchpoints.
• Lead cross-functional teams, programs and strategic initiatives to ensure timely and effective execution.
• Manage relationships with government entities, participating countries, regulators, partners and service providers.
• Oversee service-provider performance, contractual commitments, SLAs and service quality.
• Lead operational risk, crisis management and business continuity planning, particularly during peak Hajj periods.
• Monitor budgets, resources, KPIs and operational performance, and ensure corrective actions are implemented when required.
• Drive digital transformation, systems integration and data-driven decision-making across the Center.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, stakeholder alignment and the overall pilgrim experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

We Are Looking For:

• 20+ years of progressive professional experience, particularly within complex, multidisciplinary operational environments.
• Significant senior leadership experience managing large teams, departments, programs and strategic or operational initiatives.
• Deep, demonstrable experience within the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem.
• Strong practical knowledge of the Direct Hajj model.
• Experience working with participating countries, country representatives, government entities, regulators, service providers and other Hajj stakeholders.
• Strong exposure to Hajj-season operations, including the Holy Sites and peak operational periods.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy execution, operational planning, program and project management.
• Experience managing complex service-delivery ecosystems and multiple third-party providers.
• Experience in operational risk, crisis management, business continuity and high-pressure decision-making.
• Experience managing budgets, resources, operational performance and KPIs.
• Experience leading digital-transformation or systems-integration initiatives.
• Experience in international and multicultural operating environments is highly preferred.