Senior Director - Development

Qiddiya Investment Company; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director - Development to lead the development lifecycle of the Performing Arts Centre, a flagship cultural asset within Qiddiya City. The role drives strategic decision-making, manages design and delivery interfaces, and safeguards commercial outcomes through to completion.

The successful candidate will bring 10–12 years in real estate or asset development, demonstrated delivery on landmark projects, and strong leadership and stakeholder skills to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 10–12 years of experience in real estate or asset development, with landmark assets.
• Proven track record leading development through design, delivery, and commercial phases on complex, high-profile projects.
• Strong financial acumen with budgets, business cases, and investment decision-making.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management across architects, contractors, and executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development strategy for the Performing Arts Centre from design development through to delivery and handover.
• Manage relationships and interfaces across the design team delivery contractor and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on scope quality and vision.
• Oversee commercial and financial performance of the asset's development including budget management cost control and value engineering.
• Identify assess and mitigate development risks across design delivery and commercial workstreams.
• Prepare and present development updates business cases and investment papers to senior management and executive stakeholders.
• Ensure development activities align with Qiddiya City’s broader masterplan cultural strategy and brand positioning.
• Support planning for operational readiness working with future operators to ensure the asset is fit for its intended cultural programme.
• Build and mentor a high-performing development team embedding best practice across the function.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Risk management

Communication

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Business

Master's degree advantageous

Job description

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director - Development to lead the development lifecycle of the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre the first flagship cultural asset within Qiddiya City and a cornerstone of the destination s cultural and entertainment offering Set on the edge of the Tuwaiq cliffs the 1 4 billion venue spans over 114 000 sqm and comprises three theatres with a combined capacity of 3 000 seats designed to host more than 200 performances and events annually and welcome upwards of 800 000 visitors each year once operational The Senior Director will take ownership of the asset from a development perspective driving strategic decision-making managing design and delivery interfaces and safeguarding commercial and programme outcomes through to completion This role requires a seasoned development professional with a strong track record delivering complex landmark cultural hospitality or mixed-use assets and the commercial acumen to navigate a high-profile multi-stakeholder giga-project environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development strategy for the Performing Arts Centre from design development through to delivery and handover
• Manage relationships and interfaces across the design team delivery contractor and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on scope quality and vision
• Oversee commercial and financial performance of the asset s development including budget management cost control and value engineering
• Identify assess and mitigate development risks across design delivery and commercial workstreams
• Prepare and present development updates business cases and investment papers to senior management and executive stakeholders
• Ensure development activities align with Qiddiya City s broader masterplan cultural strategy and brand positioning
• Support planning for operational readiness working with future operators to ensure the asset is fit for its intended cultural programme
• Build and mentor a high-performing development team embedding best practice across the function

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, Business, or related field; a relevant Master's degree is advantageous
• Minimum of 10-12 years' relevant experience in real estate or asset development, with significant exposure to large-scale, landmark, or cultural/hospitality assets
• Proven track record leading development through design, delivery, and commercial phases on complex, high-profile projects
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, business cases, and investment decision-making
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience operating across architects, contractors, and executive leadership
• Familiarity with giga-project or large-scale mixed-use development environments considered a strong advantage
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills