Senior Director - Development - Hospitality - 20004378 CM5

About The Role

• At Qiddiya Investment Company, we are shaping a landmark destination redefining entertainment, culture and hospitality in the Kingdom.
• The Hospitality Business Unit is developing a portfolio of hotel assets central to this vision.
• As these assets progress, we are seeking experienced professionals to help deliver them to the highest standards of design quality, guest experience and commercial performance.
• In this role, you will lead the end-to-end development of hospitality assets, from concept and business case through to delivery.
• You will shape development strategy, guide critical decisions and ensure assets deliver distinctive guest experiences, strong commercial performance and long-term value for both the asset and across the wider destination.
• Working across key stakeholders and interfaces, you will drive alignment, manage complexity and ensure assets are commercially robust and in line with Qiddiya’s vision and development objectives.
• **Key Responsibilities*** Lead the strategic development of hospitality assets from early-stage briefing through to delivery, handover and operational readiness
• Shape asset strategy, feasibility and business plans to define positioning, guest experience and value creation
• Drive cross-functional alignment across strategy, asset management, design, delivery and Operators to ensure seamless progression from development through to operations
• Ensure assets align with Qiddiya’s vision and quality benchmarks, delivering best-in-class design and guest experience
• Provide strategic oversight of key asset decisions, including positioning, room mix, amenities, guest experience and operational planning to maximise differentiation and portfolio performance
• Lead key asset validation milestones, including mock-up rooms reviews and critical gateway decisions, balancing Operator, design, commercial and delivery requirements
• Proactively manage interfaces, risks and opportunities across all development workstreams to protect value and maintain delivery momentum
• Lead governance and executive reporting processes, clearly articulating asset strategy, development priorities, risks and recommendations in key forums
• Mentor, guide and develop teams, embedding strong development capability and best-practice approaches across the portfolio
• **Requirements*** Experience shaping development strategy, feasibility and positioning
• 20+ years’ experience in real estate or hospitality development
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of value creation
• Professional membership or recognised certification preferred (e.g. RICS, RIBA, PMP or equivalent)
• Strong judgement in complex, high-value development environments
• Ability to manage complexity across stakeholders, workstreams and project stages
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive key decisions through clear communication and storytelling
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments, managing ambiguity and shifting priorities
• Proficiency in project management and reporting tools (e.g. Aconex etc.)
• Proven track record delivering complex assets (e.g. luxury hospitality, mixed-use)
• Experience developing hospitality assets with Operator engagement (selection, onboarding or alignment)
• Experience across full development lifecycle from feasibility through delivery and handover
• Experience working within multi-stakeholder, large-scale destination or master planned environments
• GCC experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Development, Architecture, Engineering or related discipline