PROJECT DIRECTOR – GIGA PROJECTS & LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
Giga Projects | Luxury Real Estate | Mixed-Use Development
Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Indicative Annual Package: €150,000 – €200,000 equivalent + performance bonus & executive benefits
Ali Professional is searching, on behalf of a major international real estate development organisation involved in the delivery of large-scale, high-profile developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for an experienced:
PROJECT DIRECTOR – GIGA PROJECTS & LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
The appointment forms part of an ambitious development programme in Riyadh, encompassing large-scale mixed-use destinations, premium residential assets, luxury hospitality, commercial spaces and high-profile urban developments.
The successful candidate will assume executive responsibility for the delivery of a complex, high-value development, providing strategic leadership throughout the project lifecycle and ensuring the highest international standards in terms of design quality, construction, commercial performance, safety and delivery excellence.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an internationally experienced Project Director seeking to contribute to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate and urban transformation markets.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Executive Development / Programme Leadership, the Project Director will hold overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the assigned development.
The position will act as the primary point of leadership across Development, Design, Engineering, Construction, Commercial, Project Controls and Stakeholder Management, coordinating multidisciplinary internal and external teams.
The Project Director will ensure that the development is delivered in line with strategic objectives, approved business plans, programme requirements and the expected quality of a landmark international project.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Leadership & Governance
- Provide executive leadership across the entire project lifecycle, from development and design through construction, commissioning and final handover.
- Define and implement the overall Project Execution Strategy.
- Establish project governance, reporting structures, decision-making processes and escalation procedures.
- Translate the development vision into clear delivery objectives and measurable project outcomes.
- Ensure alignment between development strategy, design ambition, commercial objectives and construction execution.
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams and establish a culture of accountability, collaboration and delivery excellence.
- Act as the senior project representative towards executive leadership and key external stakeholders.
- Provide clear and accurate reporting to senior management and investment stakeholders.
Development & Design Management
- Oversee the development of the project from concept through detailed design.
- Coordinate international architects, designers, engineering consultants and specialist advisors.
- Ensure design solutions remain aligned with the commercial strategy, development brief and overall project vision.
- Lead design reviews and challenge technical solutions where required.
- Ensure effective coordination between architectural, structural, MEP, façade, landscape, infrastructure and specialist disciplines.
- Protect design quality throughout value engineering and construction phases.
- Ensure constructability and operational requirements are incorporated into the design process.
- Coordinate the interface between design teams, contractors and future operators.
Construction & Delivery
- Provide executive oversight of all construction activities.
- Lead the transition from design and procurement into construction and delivery.
- Monitor contractor performance against programme, cost, quality and safety objectives.
- Ensure construction activities are executed in accordance with approved designs, contractual requirements and applicable Saudi regulations.
- Review construction methodology and major execution strategies.
- Monitor critical-path activities and ensure timely intervention where programme risk emerges.
- Lead senior-level resolution of technical, contractual and delivery issues.
- Oversee testing, commissioning, snagging, completion and handover.
- Ensure operational readiness of completed assets.
Programme & Project Controls
- Establish robust project controls across schedule, cost, risk and performance.
- Monitor master programme and key project milestones.
- Review progress against baseline and identify potential delays.
- Ensure effective recovery strategies are implemented when required.
- Oversee cost forecasting and project financial performance.
- Monitor earned value and other relevant project performance indicators.
- Ensure transparent and accurate executive-level reporting.
- Maintain visibility over key project risks and opportunities.
Commercial & Contract Management
Working closely with Commercial and Procurement leadership, the Project Director will:
- oversee major procurement strategies;
- support tendering and contractor selection;
- review commercial recommendations;
- monitor major contractual obligations;
- oversee change control;
- support resolution of claims and disputes;
- protect the project’s commercial objectives;
- ensure effective cost and contract governance.
A strong understanding of major international contract frameworks, including FIDIC, will be highly valued.
Budget & Financial Responsibility
- Take senior ownership of project budget and financial performance.
- Monitor CAPEX against approved business plans.
- Review cost forecasts and cash-flow requirements.
- Challenge cost increases and identify optimisation opportunities.
- Evaluate major project changes from both technical and financial perspectives.
- Support executive investment decisions.
- Ensure value engineering does not compromise the intended positioning or quality of the development.
People Leadership
The Project Director will lead a large, multidisciplinary project organisation including senior professionals across:
Development Design Engineering Construction Commercial Project Controls Planning Quality HSE
The role will be responsible for:
- building and leading a high-performing project organisation;
- establishing clear accountabilities;
- setting objectives and performance expectations;
- developing senior project leaders;
- resolving organisational and delivery conflicts;
- creating a collaborative culture across multicultural teams;
- supporting capability development and knowledge transfer within the organisation.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or a related discipline.
Professional qualifications such as PMP, MRICS, Chartered Engineer or equivalent international accreditation will be considered highly desirable.
Candidates should demonstrate:
- approximately 15-20 years of relevant professional experience;
- significant experience at Project Director / Senior Project Director level;
- proven delivery of major, complex developments;
- experience managing projects from design through construction and handover;
- strong exposure to high-value mixed-use, luxury residential, hospitality, commercial or high-rise developments;
- experience managing large multidisciplinary teams;
- strong understanding of project controls and commercial management;
- experience managing major international consultants and contractors;
- strong knowledge of risk and contract management;
- proven ability to operate with senior executive stakeholders;
- fluent professional English.
Previous experience within Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC region will be highly valued.
Candidates without Middle East experience may also be considered where they demonstrate an exceptional international track record on comparable large-scale developments.
PARTICULARLY RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
We are particularly interested in professionals who have delivered one or more of the following:
- Giga / Mega Developments
- Luxury Mixed-Use Destinations
- Landmark High-Rise Developments
- Luxury Residential Projects
- 5-Star and Ultra-Luxury Hospitality Developments
- Large Urban Regeneration Programmes
- Major Masterplan Developments
- Complex International Real Estate Programmes
Experience working for a leading Developer, PMC, International Consultancy or Tier-1 Contractor will be considered particularly relevant.
THE OFFER
The organisation offers a senior international appointment within a major development programme in Riyadh.
Indicative annual package: €150,000 – €200,000 equivalent, depending on experience, track record and overall contractual structure.
The total executive package may include, depending on company policy and individual agreement:
- performance-related executive bonus;
- housing or housing allowance;
- transportation allowance / company vehicle;
- comprehensive private medical insurance;
- annual flight allowance;
- relocation support;
- family status support where applicable;
- schooling allowance where applicable;
- end-of-service benefits in accordance with local regulations;
- additional executive benefits aligned with the seniority of the appointment.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Riyadh is undergoing one of the most significant periods of urban, economic and real estate transformation internationally.
This position offers the opportunity to move beyond the management of an individual construction project and assume responsibility for the delivery of a landmark destination, coordinating the intersection between architecture, engineering, construction, hospitality, investment and urban development.
For an internationally experienced Project Director, this represents the opportunity to bring expertise developed on major global projects into a market where scale, investment and ambition are redefining the standards of real estate development.
Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Seniority: Director / Executive Leadership
Sector: Giga Projects | Luxury Real Estate | Mixed-Use Development
Indicative Package: €150K – €200K equivalent + Executive Benefits
