Summary
Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Director, Operational Readiness in Riyadh to lead readiness strategy and governance for an assigned portfolio. The role integrates operating models, workforce, processes, technology, facilities and service mobilization, and oversees readiness through commissioning, handover and activation. It also reviews assurance evidence, manages risks and dependencies, and presents recommendations to authorized decision-makers. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 12 years of relevant experience; postgraduate qualifications and professional certifications are desirable.
The posting
As published on qiddiya.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
JOB PURPOSE :
Lead the strategy, governance and performance of the assigned operational readiness portfolio, translating business objectives into integrated readiness plans that enable safe, compliant and controlled activation. Provide leadership across operating model development, workforce, processes, technology, facilities, service mobilization and transition planning; optimize readiness outcomes through effective assurance, risk management, stakeholder alignment and evidence-based decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:
Core Responsibilities
- Lead the operational readiness strategy and integrated governance for the assigned portfolio, aligning priorities, plans and performance measures with approved business objectives.
- Establish portfolio-wide readiness standards, assurance requirements, decision gates, reporting protocols and escalation routes, with clear accountability across functions.
- Direct assigned workstream managers and advisers in integrating operating models, workforce, processes, technology, facilities, supply chain and service mobilization.
- Provide leadership on readiness planning, sequencing, resource prioritization, dependency management and recovery actions across complex programmes and assets.
- Align senior stakeholders on activation priorities, material risks, delivery trade-offs and the evidence required to support operational decisions.
- Drive readiness performance through clear measures, disciplined governance, constructive challenge and timely executive reporting.
- Oversee operational requirements through design, procurement, commissioning, handover, mobilization and opening, ensuring they remain traceable and appropriately owned without assuming delivery-owner responsibilities.
- Review and challenge readiness evidence, commission targeted assurance and direct recovery priorities where safety, compliance, service quality or operational continuity is at risk.
- Lead cross-functional coordination of plans, schedules, dependencies, interfaces and acceptance criteria to maintain an integrated path to activation.
- Present readiness recommendations, activation options, constraints and residual risks to authorized decision-makers, ensuring decisions, conditions and actions are documented and tracked.
- Build productive relationships with delivery teams, operators, consultants, contractors and service providers to resolve readiness issues and protect business priorities.
- Develop readiness capability, oversee assigned teams and advisers, and ensure structured transfer of knowledge, documentation and accountability into business-as-usual operations.
Generic Responsibilities
• Follow applicable company policies, safety requirements, confidentiality and document-control practices.
• Maintain clear records, support continuous improvement and perform related duties consistent with the approved role scope.
• Work within approved delegated authorities; recommend activation decisions to authorized decision-makers.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, operations management, project management or a related discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable, not mandatory.
Professional Certifications
Relevant project, programme, risk, facilities management or operational readiness certification is desirable.
Skills
Operational readiness strategy and portfolio governance; integrated planning and performance management; assurance-framework and decision-gate design; operating-model and service-mobilization oversight; activation sequencing; dependency, risk and issue management; executive reporting and decision support; stakeholder engagement and negotiation; resource prioritization; team leadership; organizational capability development; transition and handover governance.
Experience
Years of Experience
12+ years of experience in operational management, operational readiness, mobilization, project delivery or asset activation for major.
Nature of Experience
Substantial experience leading complex operational readiness, mobilization, transition or programme portfolios in large-scale development, infrastructure, real estate, destination, venue or similarly complex operating environments. Demonstrated success establishing governance and assurance, integrating cross-functional plans, managing senior stakeholders, leading multidisciplinary teams and service partners, resolving critical dependencies, and guiding organizations through handover, activation and transition into stable operations.