Summary
Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director to lead development of the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre in Riyadh. The role covers development strategy through delivery and handover, including design and contractor interfaces, commercial performance, risk mitigation, and operational readiness planning. The centre is described as a 114,000 sqm cultural venue with three theatres and 3,000 seats. Applicants need 10–12 years of relevant real estate or asset development experience and a track record delivering complex projects; a relevant bachelor's degree is required.
The posting
As published on qiddiya.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director - Development to lead the development lifecycle of the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre, the first flagship cultural asset within Qiddiya City and a cornerstone of the destination's cultural and entertainment offering. Set on the edge of the Tuwaiq cliffs, the $1.4 billion venue spans over 114,000 sqm and comprises three theatres with a combined capacity of 3,000 seats, designed to host more than 200 performances and events annually and welcome upwards of 800,000 visitors each year once operational.
The Senior Director will take ownership of the asset from a development perspective, driving strategic decision-making, managing design and delivery interfaces, and safeguarding commercial and programme outcomes through to completion. This role requires a seasoned development professional with a strong track record delivering complex, landmark cultural, hospitality, or mixed-use assets, and the commercial acumen to navigate a high-profile, multi-stakeholder giga-project environment.
Requirements
Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end development strategy for the Performing Arts Centre, from design development through to delivery and handover
- Manage relationships and interfaces across the design team, delivery contractor, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on scope, quality, and vision
- Oversee commercial and financial performance of the asset's development, including budget management, cost control, and value engineering
- Identify, assess, and mitigate development risks across design, delivery, and commercial workstreams
- Prepare and present development updates, business cases, and investment papers to senior management and executive stakeholders
- Ensure development activities align with Qiddiya City's broader masterplan, cultural strategy, and brand positioning
- Support planning for operational readiness, working with future operators to ensure the asset is fit for its intended cultural programme
- Build and mentor a high-performing development team, embedding best practice across the function
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Architecture, Engineering, Business, or related field; a relevant Master's degree is advantageous
- Minimum of 10-12 years' relevant experience in real estate or asset development, with significant exposure to large-scale, landmark, or cultural/hospitality assets
- Proven track record leading development through design, delivery, and commercial phases on complex, high-profile projects
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, business cases, and investment decision-making
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience operating across architects, contractors, and executive leadership
- Familiarity with giga-project or large-scale mixed-use development environments considered a strong advantage
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills