Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

The Senior Director Project Controls will establish and lead a high performing, standardized integrated Project Controls function within Qiddiya s Transport Business Unit, encompassing Cost Planning and Reporting, Programme (Schedule) Management and Document Control. Reporting to the Executive Director, Development Management Office, this role will be instrumental in bringing rigour, consistency and confidence to how cost, schedule and reporting are managed across all transport projects. The Senior Director will drive the development of a unified cost-planning framework, ensure disciplined budget approvals and financial tracking in partnership with the Central Development Unit and strengthen programme assurance and logiv testing across the project portfolio.

Qiddiya Investment Company is dedicated to revolutionizing the entertainment and leisure industry in Saudi Arabia, and we are looking for a dynamic and experienced Senior Director of Project Controls for our DMO Transportation Division. This pivotal role will involve overseeing and enhancing the project controls framework for the transportation infrastructure projects within the Qiddiya destination. Your leadership will ensure the efficient handling of multiple projects critical to developing a seamless experience across our entertainment platform.

Key Objectives (First 18 months)

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a consistent, robust cost planning framework across all projects replacing ad hoc practices with clear methodologies, templates and governance requirements.
• Ensure project teams adopt the framework and are trained to apply it accurately and consistently.
• Work closely with the Centrral Development Unit to define and embed a transparent budget approval and funding process, ensuring all projects have approved budgets aligned with corporate systems.
• Establish clear controls for ongoing budget tracking and change management, providing senior management with full confidence in reported financials.
• Strengthen programme management discipline by introducing logical, evidence based schedule validation across all projects.
• Ensure baseline schedules, float, dependencies and critical paths are realistic and defensible.
• Build capability within the planning team to challenge delivery timelines and assess delay impacts objectively.
• Embed cost, schedule, risk and change management integration within project reporting ensuring one version of truth and a common control baseline.
• Partner closely with the Transport Business Unit Governance team to align processes, approvals and reporting with organizational standards and external assurance requirements.
• Work seamlessly with the Senior Directors of Procurement, Commercial and Finance, Risk and Compliance & Reporting and maintain strong interfaces with the Central Delivery Unit (CDU) and Strategic Delivery Unit (SDU) to ensure alignment and transparency across the delivery program.
• Recruit, develop and empower a capable project controls team covering cost, programme, and document control disciplines fostering a culture of accuracy, responsiveness and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment of an integrated Project Controls Framework governing cost planning, schedule management, change control and reporting across all projects
• Create detailed cost planning standards and templates, defining inputs, assumptions and review checkpoints to drive consistency across project cost plans.
• Oversee the preparation, validation and ongoing maintenance of project budgets, ensuring traceability between approved budgets, cost plans and funding sources.
• Collaborate with the Central Development Unit and Finance to embed the budget approval process, track funding allocations and provide transparent reporting of financial performance.
• Ensure all projects maintain accurate and logically structured programmes, validated through formal schedule assurance reviews.
• Manage scheduling, budgeting, cost control, and risk management activities to ensure timely and cost-effective project execution.
• Work collaboratively with project managers, engineers, and stakeholders to define project baselines and establish governance structures.
• Provide expert analysis and insight into project performance, preparing detailed reporting for senior management and stakeholders.
• Provide senior management with clear, reliable and data driven insights through regular dashboards and performance reviews.
• Embed project control staff within project teams to ensrue accurate data capture, timely reporting and partnership with project delivery.
• Ensure document control process maintain version integrity, traceability and audit readiness.
• Continuously review and improve project controls processes in line with industry advancements and organizational objectives.
• Maintain a strong focus on compliance, safety, and quality assurance throughout project lifecycles.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Project management or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• At least 15 20+ years of experience in project controls, specifically in transportation or large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Advanced capability with project Control tools (Primavera P6, CostOS, Power BI etc).
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising project controls teams in complex project environments.
• Deep understanding of project control techniques, including scheduling, cost estimation, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Excellent analytical skills paired with the ability to provide strategic recommendations based on data-driven insights.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Expertise in project management software and tools to drive project efficiency.
• Professional certifications, such as Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent, are highly valued.
• Prior experience in transport or large scale infrastructure