Workforce Project Director - Commercial Office Development

The Project Director, Workplace is responsible for leading the successful planning and delivery of multiple corporate workplace projects including the new Qiddiya corporate headquarters and interim corporate workplaces (Riyadh city and site-based accommodation). This includes managing a range of workplace projects from early concept and business case development through developing comprehensive briefs, design, procurement, construction, and operational handover.

In addition to Qiddiya’s own workplace requirements, the Office BU Workplace team will provide a value add service to prospective Qiddiya City tenants to assist them to design and deliver workplaces that provide a best in class solution.

This role will ensure alignment between the workplace projects and the company’s strategic objectives, governance requirements, and employee needs. The Project Director Workplace will represent the workplace projects across senior leadership forums and be a key liaison across internal departments and external delivery partners.

The successful candidate will combine strong project leadership, strategic planning, technical capability with exceptional stakeholder management skills.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of the company’s corporate headquarters and interim workplace projects, ensuring alignment with workplace strategy, time, budget, quality, and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with the Office BU Workplace Delivery teams to ensure construction procurement, phasing, quality and compliance are achieved in all workplace projects.
• Coordinate all phases: workplace strategy, feasibility, design, approvals, procurement, construction, fit-out, commissioning, and transition to occupancy.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders including the Office Development team, Corporate Workplace Team, HR, IT, Smart Buildings Team, DMO, ESG, and Corporate Governance to ensure the workplaces reflects current and future needs.
• Manage external consultants, project management consultants, workplace design teams, quantity surveyors, and contractors on behalf of the company as client.

2. Strategic Vision & Internal Alignment

• Translate the company’s strategic goals, brand identity, and public mission into workplace design and delivery outcomes.
• Lead internal engagement to shape the headquarters as a high-performing, flexible, inclusive and sustainable workplace.
• Promote alignment between the physical workspace and the organization’s operating model, technology roadmap, and corporate culture.
• Support leadership in driving positive organisational change associated with the move.

3. Governance & Public Accountability

• Ensure robust reporting and project governance in line with organisational frameworks.
• Prepare and present business cases, board papers, risk reports, and budget updates for executive and government stakeholders.
• Ensure procurement activities meet probity, equity, and value-for-money principles in line with corporate guidelines.
• Demonstrate stewardship of funds through strong cost control, transparency, and risk management.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with executive leadership and internal stakeholders to ensure project goals are well-communicated and supported.
• Coordinate user engagement, change management, and communication strategies to prepare the organisation for transition.
• Act as an internal point of contact and trusted advisor to the internal client team throughout the project lifecycle.

Technical Acumen

• Strong understanding of building design, workplace planning, and fit-out delivery.
• Skilled in project budgeting, procurement, program management, risk, and value engineering.
• Familiarity with government or public-sector procurement processes and contract management.
• Understanding and experience in delivering sustainability standards (e.g., Green Star, WELL) and accessibility compliance (e.g., DDA).

Strategic & Business Skills

• Demonstrated ability to translate organizational strategy into capital project outcomes.
• Skilled in writing and presenting business cases, executive reporting, and value-for-money assessments.
• Capable of balancing multiple internal priorities while delivering complex capital programs.
• High level of integrity and accountability in managing project budgets.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Collaborative Leadership: Ability to lead through influence, build consensus, and foster alignment across departments.
• Strong Communicator: Skilled at engaging diverse internal audiences, from executives to staff groups.
• Change Leadership: Capable of guiding organizational change related to workplace transformation.
• Problem Solver: Analytical, pragmatic, and solutions-focused in managing challenges and decision points.
• Empathy & Inclusion: A people-centric leader who promotes a safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Maintains focus and calm under pressure, navigating ambiguity with professionalism.

Working Conditions

• Primarily Riyadh / Qiddiya City based with regular attendance at project sites, consultant offices, and workshops.
• May require travel within the GCC region and other international destinations (subject to project requirements).
• Requires flexibility to engage cross-functional teams across various stages of planning and implementation and consultants who may not be within the region.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Tertiary qualifications in Project Management, Construction Management, or related fields.
• Professional certifications in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or construction management are desirable.

Work Experience

• Minimum 10+ years’ experience delivering complex workplace projects (client-side project management experience would be favorable)
• Proven track record in delivering medium to large scale commercial workplace projects including design and delivery phases
• Experience in the design and delivery of integrated workplace fitouts would be beneficial
• Understanding of ESG ratings for commercial office development and workplace (LEED, GBCA, BREAM etc)
• Ability to take ownership and responsibility of all aspects of projects including but not limited to

§ preparation of project briefs

§ consultant procurement

§ design management (concept through DD)

§ contractor procurement

§ project delivery oversight through to handover and operational readiness

• Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels (interdepartmental, client, consultant etc).
• GCC experience favorable but not essential