Director - Operational Readiness- 50011077- DA3

Qiddiya; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia seeks an experienced leader to own the strategy, governance and performance of an operational readiness portfolio. You will integrate operating models, workforce, processes, technology, facilities and service mobilization while aligning with business objectives and risk controls.

This role requires 12+ years in operational management and readiness, with proven ability to drive activation sequencing, governance, and executive reporting across large-scale developments and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, project management or a related discipline.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable, not mandatory.
• Professional certifications in project, programme, risk, facilities management or operational readiness are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational readiness strategy and integrated governance for the assigned portfolio, aligning priorities, plans and performance measures with approved business objectives.
• Establish portfolio-wide readiness standards, assurance requirements, decision gates, reporting protocols and escalation routes, with clear accountability across functions.
• Direct assigned workstream managers and advisers in integrating operating models, workforce, processes, technology, facilities, supply chain and service mobilization.
• Provide leadership on readiness planning, sequencing, resource prioritization, dependency management and recovery actions across complex programmes and assets.
• Align senior stakeholders on activation priorities, material risks, delivery trade-offs and the evidence required to support operational decisions.
• Drive readiness performance through clear measures, disciplined governance, constructive challenge and timely executive reporting.
• Oversee operational requirements through design, procurement, commissioning, handover, mobilization and opening, ensuring they remain traceable and appropriately owned without assuming delivery-owner responsibilities.
• Review and challenge readiness evidence, commission targeted assurance and direct recovery priorities where safety, compliance, service quality or operational continuity is at risk.
• Lead cross-functional coordination of plans, schedules, dependencies, interfaces and acceptance criteria to maintain an integrated path to activation.
• Present readiness recommendations, activation options, constraints and residual risks to authorized decision-makers, ensuring decisions, conditions and actions are documented and tracked.
• Build productive relationships with delivery teams, operators, consultants, contractors and service providers to resolve readiness issues and protect business priorities.
• Develop readiness capability, oversee assigned teams and advisers, and ensure structured transfer of knowledge, documentation and accountability into business-as-usual operations.
• Follow applicable company policies, safety requirements, confidentiality and document-control practices.
• Maintain clear records, support continuous improvement and perform related duties consistent with the approved role scope.
• Work within approved delegated authorities; recommend activation decisions to authorized decision-makers.

Skills

Operational readiness strategy

Portfolio governance

Integrated planning

Performance management

Assurance framework

Decision gate design

Operating model

Service mobilization

Activation sequencing

Dependency management

Risk management

Issue management

Executive reporting

Decision support

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Resource prioritization

Team leadership

Capability development

Transition governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related

Postgraduate qualification desirable

Job description

JOB PURPOSE:

Lead the strategy, governance and performance of the assigned operational readiness portfolio, translating business objectives into integrated readiness plans that enable safe, compliant and controlled activation. Provide leadership across operating model development, workforce, processes, technology, facilities, service mobilization and transition planning; optimize readiness outcomes through effective assurance, risk management, stakeholder alignment and evidence-based decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the operational readiness strategy and integrated governance for the assigned portfolio, aligning priorities, plans and performance measures with approved business objectives.


• Establish portfolio-wide readiness standards, assurance requirements, decision gates, reporting protocols and escalation routes, with clear accountability across functions.


• Direct assigned workstream managers and advisers in integrating operating models, workforce, processes, technology, facilities, supply chain and service mobilization.


• Provide leadership on readiness planning, sequencing, resource prioritization, dependency management and recovery actions across complex programmes and assets.


• Align senior stakeholders on activation priorities, material risks, delivery trade-offs and the evidence required to support operational decisions.


• Drive readiness performance through clear measures, disciplined governance, constructive challenge and timely executive reporting.

Specific Responsibilities

• Oversee operational requirements through design, procurement, commissioning, handover, mobilization and opening, ensuring they remain traceable and appropriately owned without assuming delivery-owner responsibilities.


• Review and challenge readiness evidence, commission targeted assurance and direct recovery priorities where safety, compliance, service quality or operational continuity is at risk.


• Lead cross-functional coordination of plans, schedules, dependencies, interfaces and acceptance criteria to maintain an integrated path to activation.


• Present readiness recommendations, activation options, constraints and residual risks to authorized decision-makers, ensuring decisions, conditions and actions are documented and tracked.


• Build productive relationships with delivery teams, operators, consultants, contractors and service providers to resolve readiness issues and protect business priorities.


• Develop readiness capability, oversee assigned teams and advisers, and ensure structured transfer of knowledge, documentation and accountability into business-as-usual operations.

Generic Responsibilities

• Follow applicable company policies, safety requirements, confidentiality and document-control practices.


• Maintain clear records, support continuous improvement and perform related duties consistent with the approved role scope.


• Work within approved delegated authorities; recommend activation decisions to authorized decision-makers.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, project management or a related discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable, not mandatory.

Professional Certifications

Relevant project, programme, risk, facilities management or operational readiness certification is desirable.

Skills

Operational readiness strategy and portfolio governance; integrated planning and performance management; assurance-framework and decision-gate design; operating-model and service-mobilization oversight; activation sequencing; dependency, risk and issue management; executive reporting and decision support; stakeholder engagement and negotiation; resource prioritization; team leadership; organizational capability development; transition and handover governance.

Experience

Years of Experience

12+ years of experience in operational management, operational readiness, mobilization, project delivery or asset activation for major.

Nature of Experience

Substantial experience leading complex operational readiness, mobilization, transition or programme portfolios in large-scale development, infrastructure, real estate, destination, venue or similarly complex operating environments. Demonstrated success establishing governance and assurance, integrating cross-functional plans, managing senior stakeholders, leading multidisciplinary teams and service partners, resolving critical dependencies, and guiding organizations through handover, activation and transition into stable operations.