Senior Director - Strategic Partnerships - Transport - CDUP 2074 CDU8

Qiddiya Investment Company; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment company in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Senior Director – Strategic Partnerships to drive innovation in the transport sector. This role requires extensive experience in partnership development and strategic planning, with a focus on enhancing the city’s multimodal transport network. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years in transport or infrastructure, strong negotiation skills, and a Master’s degree. A comprehensive compensation package is offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in transport, mobility, or infrastructure sectors.
• 7+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Experience developing and managing large-scale partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy development for partnership initiatives.
• Integrate next-gen mobility solutions.
• Build relationships with public and private sector partners.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Transport Planning, Engineering, or related field

Job description

At Qiddiya Investment Company, we are at the forefront of creating a new capital of entertainment, sports, and culture in Saudi Arabia. As we embark on this ambitious journey, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Director – Strategic Partnerships to play a pivotal role in building and maintaining key strategic relationships that will drive our vision forward.

The Senior Director – Strategic Partnerships, is responsible for the leadership, strategy, and execution of partnership development initiatives across the Transport Business Unit. The role will identify, structure, and manage strategic collaborations that advance the city’s multimodal transport network, services and customer excellence, expanding upon planned modes —including micromobility, mobility on demand, buses and BRT, metros, cable cars, and eVTOL— enhancing connectivity, innovation, efficiency and sustainability at a mode and system level.

This position plays a critical role in driving innovation and technology integration through partnerships with local, regional, and international entities, ensuring alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 mobility and smart city objectives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Partnership Development

• Lead the strategy development, planning and identification, evaluation, and development of strategic partnerships that enhance the city’s transport ecosystem and capabilities.
• Define and implement a partnership strategy aligned with the Transport business unit goals and objectives and the broader Vision 2030 agenda.
• Establish and manage frameworks and agreements that foster collaboration with private sector partners, investors, technology providers, research institutions, international transport operators.
• Promote innovation and future-oriented initiatives that support new mobility modes and emerging technologies, engaging with and promoting collaborative approaches and solutions with internal stakeholders to achieve forward thinking consensus.

Future Modes & Emerging Technologies

• Drive the integration of next-generation mobility solutions such as eVTOL, autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, and mobility-on-demand platforms.
• Benchmark international best practices and evaluates emerging technologies for potential adoption and scalability within the city.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for pilot programs, trials, and deployment of future mobility initiatives.
• Lead and collaborate with safety, regulation, and operations teams to ensure readiness for emerging transport technologies.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain high-level relationships with public and private sector partners, regulators, investors, technology developers, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Transport Business Unit in governance, strategic forums, partnerships, and negotiations locally and internationally.
• Ensure alignment and collaboration across internal projects and departments including customer experience, planning, operations, finance, and policy.

Governance, Commercial & Performance Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy to support business growth, diversification, and innovation in the transport sector.
• Develop partnership frameworks, policies, and governance mechanisms to ensure transparency, compliance, and accountability.
• Lead commercial and financial evaluations for strategic partnership opportunities.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on the performance and impact of partnership programs.
• Identify, assess, and negotiate strategic alliances with public and private entities, technology and innovation providers, investors, government organizations, and international operators.
• Structure partnership models (e.g., joint ventures, PPPs, MOUs, strategic cooperation agreements) that create mutual value and support organizational objectives.
• Align partnership initiatives with national strategies, regulatory requirements, and sector transformation programs (e.g., Vision 2030, National Transport & Logistics Strategy).

Education:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Transport Planning, Engineering, or a related field.
• Additional qualifications in innovation management, strategic management, or emerging mobility preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in transport, mobility, or infrastructure sectors, with at least 7 years in senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing large-scale partnerships in transportation, smart mobility, or technology-driven projects.
• Proven success in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and multi-sector collaboration.
• Strong understanding of future mobility trends, technologies, and business models.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and long-term visioning.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen.
• Deep knowledge of multimodal transport planning and operations.
• Persuasive communication and representation skills with a global outlook.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Interfaces

• Internal: Planning & Development, Operations, Assets & Maintenance, Finance, Regulation, Legal, Strategy.
• External: Private sector partners, technology developers, international transport agencies, academic and research institutions, government ministries, and regulatory bodies.

Impact & Contribution

This role will champion innovation and partnership as a core enabler of the city’s evolving transport network, fostering collaboration, driving technological advancement, and ensuring the city’s mobility ecosystem remains future-ready, efficient, and aligned with Vision 2030 goals.

Offering a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.