Director – Water Management - City Asset Management

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Director – Water Management to lead the city’s water asset portfolio, shaping strategy, governance and lifecycle optimisation across potable water, wastewater and water reuse systems.

The role requires 18+ years in water utilities and a proven senior leadership track, with a focus on ESG, regulatory compliance and digital enablement, within a large-city or mega-project context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Utilities Management or related field.
• 18+ years in water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure operations or city-scale service delivery.
• 8+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi water and environmental regulations, water quality standards, utility governance, ESG frameworks and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction and governance for the city-wide water asset portfolio.
• Develop long-term water asset strategies and lifecycle investment programmes.
• Drive water conservation, reuse, demand management, leakage reduction and resource efficiency initiatives.
• Establish asset information, digital systems, smart metering, data governance and analytics.
• Ensure compliance with water, wastewater and environmental regulations and licensing obligations.
• Oversee asset lifecycle management for water infrastructure including treatment, pumping, storage and distribution.
• Lead health, safety, quality and environmental management.
• Develop commercial, procurement, investment and service-provider governance strategies (KPIs, SLAs, tariffs, budgeting).
• Build relationships with developers, operators, regulators and community stakeholders.
• Lead organizational capability development and a culture of safety, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Digital enablement

Water industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree

Professional certifications

Job description

Director – Water Management - City Asset Management

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we push the limits of what’s possible to make the world smarter and more connected. We are a key delivery partner on one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship giga projects and a central pillar of Vision 2030, located approximately 45 km southwest of Riyadh. Designed as the Kingdom’s future capital of entertainment, sports, and culture, this landmark development aims to diversify the economy and enhance quality of life through a mix of world-class attractions, residential communities, and natural landscapes, while generating significant employment and enabling long‑term, sustainable growth.

About the Opportunity:

The Director, Water Management provides strategic leadership for the city’s water asset portfolio, ensuring water infrastructure, networks, systems, services and commercial arrangements are effectively planned, governed and optimised throughout their lifecycle.

The role develops long-term strategies, lifecycle investment plans, performance frameworks, regulatory assurance and asset management standards to support safe, reliable, resilient and cost-effective water services. It oversees potable water, irrigation, wastewater, treated sewage effluent, stormwater and water reuse systems, while promoting water conservation, resource efficiency and digital enablement.

The position ensures alignment with the city’s asset management framework, sustainability objectives, Saudi regulations, Vision 2030 priorities and global best practices.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic direction, governance, operating model, policies and performance framework for the city-wide water asset portfolio.
• Develop long-term water asset strategies, service models, demand forecasts, capacity plans and lifecycle investment programmes aligned with city growth and operational requirements.
• Drive water conservation, reuse, demand management, leakage reduction, resource efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives in line with ESG objectives and Vision 2030.
• Establish asset information, digital systems, smart metering, network monitoring, data governance, performance dashboards and analytics to support informed decision‑making.
• Ensure compliance with applicable water, wastewater and environmental regulations, permits, licensing obligations, water quality standards and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Oversee asset lifecycle management for water infrastructure, including treatment facilities, pumping stations, storage assets, distribution networks, irrigation systems, wastewater networks and water reuse infrastructure.
• Lead health, safety, quality and environmental management, ensuring water quality, safe operations, environmental protection, regulatory compliance, network resilience and emergency preparedness.
• Develop commercial, procurement, investment and service‑provider governance strategies, including contracts, KPIs, SLAs, tariff considerations, budgeting and lifecycle cost optimisation.
• Build strong relationships with developers, operators, utility providers, facility managers, regulators, government authorities and community stakeholders to support water service and sustainability objectives.
• Lead organisational capability development, fostering a culture of safety, operational excellence, innovation, sustainability, continuous improvement and workforce development.

Here’s what you’ll need

Role Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Utilities Management, Asset Management or a related field. A Master’s degree and relevant professional certifications are preferred.
• 18+ years of experience in water, wastewater, utilities, infrastructure operations, asset management or city-scale service delivery, including at least 8 years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven expertise across potable water, wastewater, irrigation, treated sewage effluent, stormwater and water reuse systems, including treatment, pumping, storage, transmission and distribution infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi water and environmental regulations, water quality standards, utility governance, resource efficiency, ESG frameworks and regulatory compliance.
• Experience leading water strategy, procurement, operational readiness, service mobilisation, performance management, audits, lifecycle planning, OPEX/CAPEX management and contractor oversight.
• Advanced capabilities in smart water technologies, IoT, GIS, digital twins, smart metering, network monitoring, leakage detection, data analytics and water demand management.
• Strong experience in asset performance, network resilience, business continuity, emergency planning, stakeholder management and executive-level reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver reliable, sustainable and commercially viable water management operations within a complex city, destination or mixed-use development.

Jacobs. A world where you can. From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we’re committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

Start your Jacobs career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow.

#LI-SJ2

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we’re committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally - and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.