Director, Hospitality Operations & Design Strategy

Qiddiya Investment Company; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya Investment Company, within the Hospitality Business Unit, is seeking an experienced leader to guide the operational planning and design development of hotel operating areas from strategy through to pre-opening. The role requires shaping the guest journey, aligning asset strategy with brand standards, and driving governance across Development, Design, Operators and consultants.

Candidates should bring 12–15+ years in luxury hotel operations and a proven track record in Rooms Division

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field.
• 12 to 15+ years' experience in luxury hotel operations, operational planning, technical services, design development or pre‑opening projects, with significant leadership experience in Rooms Division, or related hotel operations disciplines.
• Strong leadership experience within Rooms Division or related hotel operations.
• Extensive operational leadership experience within luxury or upper‑upscale hotels.
• Strong knowledge of hotel operations, guest journey planning, and operational design.
• Understanding of FF&E and OS&E standards and their integration into hospitality design and operational planning.
• Experience reviewing hotel layouts, guest journey planning and back‑of‑house operations.
• Saudi Arabia or the GCC experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide portfolio-level oversight of the operational planning and design development of hotel operating areas related to the guest accommodation experience, from Strategy Brief through design development.
• Develop operational concepts, planning principles and design criteria for all Rooms Division functions, including arrival experience, driveway, porte cochère, parking, lobby planning, Front Office, Concierge, Bell Services, Guest Relations, Club Lounge, Housekeeping, Laundry and associated BOH support areas.
• Provide executive-level review and challenge design proposals to ensure they support operational efficiency, service delivery, guest experience and long-term asset performance.
• Define and approve operational workflows, adjacencies and functional relationships between guest‑facing and back‑of‑house areas.
• Review Facility Schedules and space allocations to ensure operational functionality and efficient utilization of space.
• Coordinate with Design Management, Design Excellence, F&B, Wellness, MEP and Development teams to ensure integrated operational planning across all hospitality assets.
• Work collaboratively with hotel Operators to interpret brand standards and operational requirements, ensuring they are appropriately reflected in the design while supporting Qiddiya's asset vision.
• Lead the operational input into design reviews throughout all project stages, identifying operational risks, opportunities and improvements before design decisions are finalized.
• Provide operational endorsement of mock‑up rooms, operational layouts and back‑of‑house planning to validate operational functionality and guest experience.
• Establish, maintain and govern Hospitality BU operational planning standards, frameworks and best practices across the hospitality portfolio.
• Set portfolio-wide benchmarks against international hospitality best practices and emerging operational trends.
• Drive continuous improvement of Hospitality BU operational planning processes, standards and governance.
• Represent Operational Advisory in senior project governance forums, including Project Control Groups (PCGs) and provide strategic operational advice.

Skills

Leadership

Rooms Division

Operational planning

Design development

Guest journey planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management

Job description

Qiddiya Investment Company, within the Hospitality Business Unit, is seeking an experienced leader to guide the operational planning and design development of hotel operating areas from strategy through to pre-opening. The role requires shaping the guest journey, aligning asset strategy with brand standards, and driving governance across Development, Design, Operators and consultants.

Candidates should bring 12–15+ years in luxury hotel operations and a proven track record in Rooms Division