Workplace - Design Project Director (Urban Core) (REQ743)

The Workplace Design Project Lead is responsible for leading the successful design, planning and delivery of the Workplace Interiors of the Qiddiya corporate headquarters which are being integrated into new base buildings. This includes managing the workplace project from early concept and business case development through developing comprehensive briefs, design, procurement, construction, and operational handover.

The proposed Qiddiya Headquarters will be a world-class Grade A+, future-ready workplace ecosystem spanning approximately 120,000 sqm and accommodating approximately 9,000 people. Designed to enhance human performance, foster innovation, and set a benchmark for sustainable workplace design, the campus will provide a flexible and resilient environment that evolves with the organization’s needs.

This role will ensure alignment between the corporate headquarters workplace and other QIC workplace projects, ensuring they support the company’s strategic objectives, governance requirements, and employee needs. The positionwill also represent the Qiddiya corporate workplace across senior leadership forums and act as a key liaison across internal departments.

The role will require working closely with the Base Building Development Directors to ensure workplace requirements are integrated into the base building design, infrastructure, and delivery strategy from the earliest design stages. This includes coordinating key interfaces such as spatial planning, building services, vertical transportation, access, security, technology, sustainability, and operational requirements so the headquarters workplace is seamlessly embedded within the broader development and capable of supporting QIC’s long-term business and employee needs.

The successful candidate will bring a depth of experience in the design management of large-scale corporate workplace projects, with proven capability leading front-end design phases from workplace strategy, briefing and concept development through to design coordination and approvals. They will combine strong technical understanding of workplace planning and fit-out design with strategic project leadership, ensuring design outcomes are aligned with business objectives, employee needs and delivery requirements. Exceptional stakeholder management skills and the ability to lead consultants, internal client teams and senior decision-makers through complex workplace design processes are imperative for the role.

Key Responsibilities

1.       Project Leadership & Delivery

·       Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of the company’s corporate headquarters workplace, ensuring alignment with workplace strategy, program, budget, quality, compliance requirements, and employee needs, while aligning to the consistency across other Qiddiya Investment Company workplace projects in line with the company’s strategic objectives and governance requirements.

·       Work closely with internal stakeholders including the Office Development team who are delivering the base buildings, Corporate Workplace Team, HR, IT, Smart Buildings Team, DMO, ESG, and Corporate Governance to ensure the workplace 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.

• Coordinate all phases of workplace delivery, with particular emphasis on front-end design management, including workplace strategy, feasibility, briefing, concept design, design development, approvals, procurement, construction, fit-out, commissioning, and transition to occupancy.

·       Work closely with Workplace Delivery teams to ensure construction procurement, phasing, quality and compliance are achieved in all workplace projects.

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, functional briefing, 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 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.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

·       Tertiary qualifications in Project Management, Construction Management, Architectural or related fields are imperative.

·       Professional certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or construction management are desirable.

Preferred Work Experience

• Minimum 15+ years’ experience leading the design and delivery of complex corporate workplace interiors, including large-scale headquarters or campus-style workplace projects.
• Proven track record leading medium-to-large commercial workplace projects through front-end design phases, including workplace strategy, briefing, concept design, design development, consultant coordination, and stakeholder approvals.
• Experience in the design and delivery of integrated workplace fit-out projects would also be beneficial.
• Understanding of ESG ratings and sustainability standards for commercial office development and workplace interiors, including LEED, Green Star, BREEAM, WELL, or equivalent frameworks.
• Ability to take ownership and responsibility for all aspects of workplace projects, including preparation of project and design briefs, consultant procurement, design management, contractor procurement, delivery oversight, handover, and operational readiness.
• Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels, including internal departments, client groups, consultants, contractors, and senior leadership.
• GCC experience is desirable but not essential.

Technical Acumen

·       Strong understanding of workplace strategy, 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 and consultants across various stages of planning and implementation, including consultants and stakeholders who may be based outside the region.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline

• Minimum 15+ years of experience leading the delivery of complex large-scale integrated mixed-use developments complex
• Demonstrated client-side experience managing multiple projects across diverse asset classes.
• Proven track record delivering major developments from design through construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Experience managing large multidisciplinary consultant and contractor teams.
• Strong programme management, governance, and project controls experience.
• Experience working within master developer, giga-project, public sector, or large mixed-use development environments.
• GCC and international mega-project experience highly desirable.