Director of Major Events & City Operations

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. is seeking a Director of Event Planning to lead integrated planning for major sporting, entertainment, cultural, and civic events in Saudi Arabia.

You will oversee governance, budgets, schedules, and readiness activities across districts, venues, and partners for 2028 and beyond. The role requires 18+ years in event planning or related fields, with 8+ years in senior leadership, and a track record delivering complex events in high-profile environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Business Administration, Operations, Project Management, Hospitality, Tourism, or related field; Master’s degree and relevant certifications preferred.
• 18+ years of experience in major event planning or related fields, including 8+ years in senior leadership.
• Proven track record delivering complex sporting, entertainment, cultural, or civic events in high-profile environments.
• Expertise in governance, risk management, budgeting, procurement, and executive reporting.
• Experience within Saudi Arabia or GCC giga-projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead major events planning framework, governance, standards, and assurance processes.
• Develop multi-year integrated event portfolio plans aligning priorities and resources.
• Oversee end-to-end event planning from concept to delivery and post-event evaluation.
• Integrate cross-functional operational plans including mobility, security, guest experience, logistics, and communications.
• Manage citywide planning, readiness activities, and contingency planning.
• Establish readiness, testing, and assurance programs; manage budgets and procurement strategies.
• Lead stakeholder engagement with event owners, government agencies, and delivery partners.
• Build and develop a high-performing event planning team.

Skills

Event planning

Operations leadership

Budget control

Governance

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Planning technology tools

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Event Management/related field

Master’s degree and professional certifications preferred

Tools

Planning software tools

Job description

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. is seeking a Director of Event Planning to lead integrated planning for major sporting, entertainment, cultural, and civic events in Saudi Arabia.

You will oversee governance, budgets, schedules, and readiness activities across districts, venues, and partners for 2028 and beyond. The role requires 18+ years in event planning or related fields, with 8+ years in senior leadership, and a track record delivering complex events in high-profile environments.