Summary
Arada is hiring a Manager, Authority Approvals & Stakeholder Relations for its Riyadh office. The role leads government engagement and manages submissions, permits, approvals, compliance, and coordination with consultants and project teams across development projects in Saudi Arabia. Applicants should have 8–12 years of relevant experience, established relationships with Saudi authorities, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. The position is aligned with Saudi workforce localization requirements and is intended for candidates eligible to work under the applicable regulations.
The posting
As published on arada.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
About us
At Arada, we create communities that inspire healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Through innovative developments, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to sustainability, we are shaping places where people can live, work and thrive.
Joining Arada means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering excellence across every aspect of our business.
Role Purpose:
The Manager – Authority Approvals & Stakeholder Relations will be responsible for leading all authority engagement, regulatory development design approvals, and government stakeholder coordination for ARADA’s developments in Saudi Arabia.
The role will act as the primary interface between ARADA, submissions compliance government entities, development design authorities, consultants, and project stakeholders, ensuring timely approvals, effective communication, and successful navigation of regulatory requirements throughout the development lifecycle.
The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of Saudi design code compliance, submissions requirement compliance, Saudi government processes, established authority relationships, and proven experience managing approvals for large-scale real estate, master planning, and mixed-use developments.
Key Responsibilities
Authority Management & Government Relations
Act as the primary point of contact between ARADA and Saudi government authorities, municipalities, regulatory bodies, and relevant agencies.
Establish and maintain strong professional relationships with key government stakeholders to facilitate smooth project approvals.
Manage authority engagement strategies throughout the project lifecycle, from concept planning through construction and completion.
Represent ARADA in meetings, workshops, and discussions with government entities.
Provide guidance to internal teams on relative design code, authority requirements, approval processes, approximate submission cost and regulatory expectations.
Development Approvals & Permitting
Lead end-to-end management of authority submissions, permits, approvals, and regulatory requirements for master planning, infrastructure, and building projects.
Coordinate with Design, Development, Project Management, Consultants, and Contractors to ensure complete and compliant submission packages.
Review submission requirements and ensure documentation is aligned with Saudi codes and regulations and authority standards.
Monitor approval timelines, identify potential delays and risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
Track approvals, comments, revisions, and authority responses through structured reporting mechanisms.
Ensure all required permits and approvals are obtained within agreed project timelines.
Consultant & Stakeholder Coordination
Work closely with architects, engineers, consultants, and project teams to coordinate authority requirements and responses.
Review consultant submissions prior to authority submission to ensure completeness and compliance.
Facilitate communication between consultants and government entities and support to resolve technical comments and approval challenges.
Support project teams by providing regulatory insights and authority guidance.
Coordinate stakeholder meetings, workshops, and approval discussions.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Maintain strong knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s planning regulations, development controls, building codes, and approval processes.
Identify regulatory risks, approval challenges, and compliance gaps that may impact project delivery.
Provide proactive recommendations to minimise approval risks and programme delays.
Maintain accurate records of authority submissions, approvals, correspondence, and commitments.
Ensure compliance with government procedures and reporting requirements.
Reporting & Governance
Provide regular updates to senior leadership on approval status, risks, dependencies, and critical milestones.
Maintain approval trackers, authority matrices, and stakeholder communication records.
Prepare reports highlighting progress, challenges, and recommended actions.
Support the implementation of governance processes related to authority management.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Business Administration, or related field.
Additional qualifications in project management, government relations, or development management are advantageous.
Experience
Minimum 8–12 years of experience in authority approvals, government relations, stakeholder management, or regulatory affairs within:
Real estate development
Master development
Architecture/engineering consultancy
Construction or infrastructure sectors
Proven experience managing approvals for large-scale developments, master plans, residential, mixed-use, hospitality, or commercial projects.
Strong understanding of Saudi code reference ,Saudi government entities, municipalities, and regulatory frameworks.
Established relationships with relevant Saudi authorities and stakeholders.
Experience working with multidisciplinary consultants and project teams.
Additional Details
Office location - Riyadh, KSA
Work hours - 40
This position is aligned with local workforce requirements in Saudi Arabia and is intended for candidates eligible to work under the applicable Saudization regulations.
Using GenAI in Your Application Process
To support a fair and consistent experience for all candidates, we ask that assessments and interviews are completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools. This ensures we understand your strengths, your thinking, and how you approach real situations.
Why join Arada?
At Arada, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that transform communities while working alongside talented professionals in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous growth. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Arada is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and make employment decisions based on merit, experience and business needs.