Project Director

Khibraty; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in innovation and project management is seeking a Project Director to lead the PMO and innovation functions. Responsibilities include managing complex projects, fostering innovation, and aligning initiatives with strategic objectives. Ideal candidates have over 10 years of experience in project management, preferably in government projects, and solid backgrounds in innovation management. The position is location flexible between Jeddah and Riyadh.

Qualifications

• 10–12 years of experience in managing complex programs and projects.
• Experience with government projects and national transformation initiatives.
• Professional certification in project management is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Project Management Office and Innovation function.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of projects and innovation initiatives.
• Develop and implement standardized methodologies for project execution.
• Collaborate with executives and government stakeholders to align initiatives with national priorities.
• Lead and mentor project managers and innovation teams; foster high performance culture.
• Manage full lifecycle of projects and innovations: ideation to closure within scope, budget and timelines.
• Establish governance structures like Steering Committees and Innovation Boards.
• Implement risk management across projects and programs; ensure proactive mitigation.
• Promote culture of innovation to improve performance and services.
• Monitor KPIs and report to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Represent organization to government stakeholders and global consulting partners.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Innovation management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Project management tools

Innovation management software

Job description

Overview

Lead the Project Management Office (PMO) and the Innovation function within the organization to ensure the successful delivery of strategic projects and programs.

The Project Director will be responsible for driving excellence in project execution while fostering innovation, aligning all initiatives with the company’s strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Establish and manage the Project Management Office (PMO), including its strategy, structure, governance, and processes.
• Oversee the Innovation Department, leading initiatives for organizational transformation, exploring emerging technologies, and embedding innovative solutions.
• Develop and implement standardized project and innovation methodologies, tools, and frameworks to ensure efficiency and consistency.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and government stakeholders to align projects and innovation initiatives with national priorities.
• Lead and mentor project managers and innovation teams, building a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of projects and innovation initiatives, from ideation to implementation and closure, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and timelines.
• Establish governance structures such as Steering Committees and Innovation Boards to enable transparent decision-making.
• Implement effective risk management practices across projects and innovation programs, ensuring proactive mitigation and contingency planning.
• Promote a culture of innovation within the organization, encouraging creativity and adoption of new solutions to improve performance and services.
• Monitor performance using KPIs for both projects and innovation, and provide regular reporting to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Represent the organization in front of government stakeholders and global consulting partners to enhance its role as a key contributor to national transformation.
• Collaborate with senior executives and stakeholders to align project objectives with the company's strategic goals and ensure effective prioritization of projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10–12 years of experience in managing complex programs and projects, with proven experience in government projects and national transformation initiatives.
• Previous experience working with top-tier global consulting firms such as PwC, KPMG, EY, or Deloitte.
• Solid background in innovation management and adoption of emerging technologies.
• Professional certification in project management (PMP, PgMP) and/or innovation (e.g., Design Thinking, Innovation Management) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in project and innovation management tools and software.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Work location will be between Jeddah and Riyadh, depending on business needs.