Head of Operations

Client of Foreground; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A global events company is seeking a Head of Operations in Riyadh to establish and manage operational infrastructure for large-scale projects. The role involves overseeing logistics, vendor contracts, compliance, and ensuring seamless event delivery. Ideal candidates will have over 12 years of experience in events operations and a strong understanding of local regulations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in events operations, project logistics, or agency operations in Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC.
• Proven track record in managing multi-supplier ecosystems and high-volume delivery environments.
• Strong knowledge of KSA regulations and compliance protocols.

Responsibilities

• Set up and manage the operational infrastructure for the agency in Saudi Arabia.
• Oversee procurement, logistics, warehousing, and transport across all live projects.
• Manage relationships with legal counsel and government entities for permits and regulatory matters.

Skills

Licensing

Compliance

Operations

Creativity

Logistics

Operational Excellence

Cost Control

Templates

Arabic

Supply

Government

Infrastructure

Procurement

Regulations

Finance

Planning

English

Job description

Job Description:
Foreground is partnering with a global events company to recruit a logistics-savvy, systems-oriented, and execution-obsessed Head of Operations, based in Riyadh. This is a mission-critical role that ensures the operational foundation is set up to support large-scale projects across Saudi Arabia, balancing agility with compliance, and creativity with structure.

Reporting to the Country Director and collaborating with Finance, Production, HR, and Legal, the Head of Operations will oversee resourcing, vendor contracts, local licensing, supply chain processes, and internal SOP development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Set up and manage the operational infrastructure for the agency in Saudi Arabia, including staffing models, office logistics, vendor frameworks, and resourcing plans.
2. Oversee procurement, logistics, warehousing, transport, and on-site coordination across all live projects.
3. Build internal processes, templates, and reporting tools that support visibility, cost control, and operational excellence.
4. Manage relationships with legal counsel, PROs, and government entities to ensure permits, visas, and regulatory matters are in order.
5. Collaborate closely with project managers and production teams to ensure seamless event delivery from brief to breakdown.
6. Lead crisis response planning and real-time issue resolution for operational challenges.

Ideal Profile

• 12+ years in events operations, project logistics, or agency operations in Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC.
• Proven track record in managing multi-supplier ecosystems, event logistics planning, and high-volume delivery environments.
• Strong knowledge of KSA regulations, event permitting, labor laws, and compliance protocols.
• Bilingual preferred, fluent in English and Arabic.

Required Skills

• Licensing
• Compliance
• Operations
• Creativity
• Logistics
• Operational Excellence
• Cost Control
• Templates
• Arabic
• Supply
• Government
• Infrastructure
• Procurement
• Regulations
• Finance
• Planning
• English