Senior Director - Permitting - City185 - AA7

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director – Permitting to lead the strategy, governance and delivery framework for permitting across Qiddiya City. This is an opportunity to establish a consistent, scalable service that protects city assets, supports safe working and maintains operational continuity as the city grows.

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What you’ll lead

• City-wide strategy and governance: Develop the permitting strategy, operating model and implementation roadmap, establishing policies, permit classifications, approval matrices and delegated authorities.
• Outsourced service delivery: Define provider scope, capacity, competency requirements and service levels, holding partners accountable through performance monitoring, audits and corrective action.
• Permit-to-work assurance: Govern the full permit lifecycle, from application and prerequisite checks through review, authorisation, issue, suspension and closure, ensuring specialist approvals are secured.
• Access and alteration frameworks: Oversee access permitting in coordination with Security and asset operators, and establish robust review routes for building alterations and fit-outs. Maintain a clear distinction between permission to access a site and authorisation to undertake work.
• Operational coordination: Align simultaneous works, shutdowns, access restrictions and reinstatement requirements across infrastructure, utilities, property, landscape, mobility and event operations to minimise disruption.
• Digital enablement: Define requirements for a digital permitting platform, supporting integrated workflows, controlled permissions, reliable records and auditable approval histories.
• Performance and compliance: Use risk-based assurance and service data to improve turnaround, compliance and closure performance without compromising approval quality.
• Mobilisation and functional leadership: Lead phased service rollout, continuity planning, budgets and resource forecasts, while building internal governance capability and training arrangements.

Requirements

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What you’ll bring

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management or a related discipline.
• Extensive relevant experience in permitting, infrastructure, property or facilities operations, including senior leadership accountability for governance, contractor interfaces or outsourced operational services. The JD indicates typically 15+ years overall, including at least 7 years in senior leadership, subject to HR confirmation.
• Demonstrated experience establishing permitting strategies and operating frameworks across complex estates, cities, major developments or live operational environments.
• Experience managing outsourced permit-to-work and access services, governing alterations and fit-outs, and coordinating multidisciplinary approvals and statutory interfaces.
• Strong capabilities in policy development, delegated authorities, commercial management, risk-based assurance and stakeholder negotiation, supported by working knowledge of applicable Saudi requirements.
• Experience implementing digital permitting systems and leading service mobilisation, performance improvement and executive reporting.