Director of Projects

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Projects to join our organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this senior leadership role, you will oversee the strategic planning, execution, and delivery of major projects while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and stakeholder expectations. As Director of Projects, you will provide decisive leadership, foster a collaborative team environment, and drive continuous improvement across all project delivery functions. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact on complex, high-value initiatives while mentoring talented professionals and shaping the future of our project management capabilities.

• *Strategic Leadership & Vision**
• Develop and communicate a clear project vision and strategic roadmap aligned with organizational goals
• Provide visionary leadership to project teams, inspiring innovation and excellence in project delivery
• Champion best practices and process improvements across all project management functions
• Mentor and develop project management staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth
• *Project Planning & Execution**
• Oversee the planning, scheduling, and execution of major projects from inception through completion
• Establish comprehensive project frameworks, including scope definition, resource allocation, and timeline management
• Ensure all project deliverables are clearly defined, tracked, and completed on schedule and within budget
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including engineering, procurement, finance, and quality assurance to ensure seamless project delivery
• *Financial Management & Cost Control**
• Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring accurate forecasting and cost control throughout the project lifecycle
• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and take corrective action when necessary
• Prepare financial reports and performance metrics for internal and external stakeholders
• Make data-driven decisions regarding resource allocation and budget optimization
• *Risk & Compliance Management**
• Implement comprehensive risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks
• Ensure all projects comply with contractual requirements, regulatory standards, and organizational policies
• Develop contingency plans and maintain appropriate reserves for identified risks
• Lead the management of claims, disputes, and change orders with transparency and integrity
• *Stakeholder Management & Communication**
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, owners, and external stakeholders
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders through regular, transparent communication
• Prepare and present project status reports, performance metrics, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Ensure timely and effective communication of project progress, challenges, and decisions to all relevant parties
• *Contract & Vendor Management**
• Oversee contract administration, including negotiation, execution, and compliance monitoring
• Manage relationships with subcontractors and vendors, ensuring performance standards are met
• Review and approve contractual correspondence and agreements, involving legal resources as needed
• Monitor vendor compliance with insurance, quality, and delivery requirements
• *Quality Assurance & Performance Monitoring**
• Establish quality standards and performance metrics for all project activities
• Monitor project performance against established KPIs and take corrective action as needed
• Conduct regular project reviews and audits to ensure compliance and identify improvement opportunities
• Ensure all project documentation is complete, organized, and accessible to authorized stakeholders
• *Team Development & Organizational Management**
• Build and lead high-performing project teams with diverse skill sets and backgrounds
• Assess staff capabilities and arrange training and development opportunities as needed
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative work environment
• Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to support professional development
• *Required Qualifications**
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum 12-15 years of progressive experience in project management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or director-level role
• Proven expertise in project planning, budgeting, financial management, and cost control
• Strong understanding of contract negotiation, commercial agreement management, and risk management processes
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions
• Proficiency in project management software and tools; experience with project controls systems is highly desirable
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining attention to detail and organizational excellence
• *Preferred Qualifications**
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), or equivalent certification from a recognized professional body
• Membership or chartered status with organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), Association for Project Management (APM), or similar professional bodies
• Previous experience in infrastructure, construction, engineering, or major capital projects
• Experience managing projects in the Middle East or similar international markets
• Advanced knowledge of risk management frameworks and claim management processes
• Experience with financial auditing, compliance, and governance frameworks
• Bilingual capabilities (English and Arabic) are an asset
• Formal leadership training or executive development program completion
• Experience implementing organizational process improvements and change management initiatives
• *Key Competencies**
• Strategic thinking and visionary leadership
• Financial acumen and budget management
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Decision-making and assertiveness
• Emotional intelligence and empathy
• Resilience and adaptability
• Organizational and time management skills
• Inclusive and collaborative leadership approach
• Transparent and ethical business practices