Head of Operational Readiness & Activation

Qiddiya; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya in Riyadh seeks a senior leader to drive operational readiness across its major assets and programmes, ensuring a smooth transition from project delivery to safe, compliant, and sustainable operations.

You will set the readiness direction, govern assurance and activation decisions, and align senior stakeholders on priorities, risks and expected outcomes to support launches and exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, project management, hospitality or related discipline.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Certifications: PMP, PRINCE2, facilities management, operational readiness, HSE or programme management certification preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in operational management, operational readiness, mobilization, project delivery or asset activation.
• At least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience in entertainment or large-scale infrastructure sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement operational readiness strategy, governance, standards, assurance methodology and activation gates for assigned portfolios.
• Lead integrated readiness planning across people, process, technology, facilities, safety, security, and service workstreams.
• Provide senior oversight of milestones, risks, decisions and KPIs; escalate when needed.
• Collaborate with delivery and operations teams to embed operational requirements from design to opening plans.
• Chair readiness reviews and direct mitigation plans for gaps affecting safety, compliance or activation dates.
• Advise executives on readiness status and required decisions.

Skills

Multi-workstream integration

Readiness assurance

Mobilization oversight

Senior stakeholder alignment

Executive reporting

Dependency resolution

Team leadership

Consultant oversight

Change delivery

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, project management, hospitality or related discipline

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Qiddiya in Riyadh seeks a senior leader to drive operational readiness across its major assets and programmes, ensuring a smooth transition from project delivery to safe, compliant, and sustainable operations.

You will set the readiness direction, govern assurance and activation decisions, and align senior stakeholders on priorities, risks and expected outcomes to support launches and exceptional guest experiences.