Program Director

Role Purpose

The Program Director provides executive leadership and high-level oversight for the full program lifecycle. Acting as the main point of responsibility to the client, this person must ensure that PMCM services are delivered to a consistently high professional standard, completed on schedule, and fully aligned with client instructions, contractual duties, and relevant national and international standards.

Strategic Leadership and Program Governance

• Act as the senior professional lead and sole accountable authority for PMCM delivery to the client across all phases and locations.
• Create and put into practice the program execution plan, governance structure, and management approach; make executive decisions on scope, schedule, cost, quality, and risk issues.
• Lead the PMCM function across all disciplines, including program management, design, controls, commercial, QHSE, risk, and document control, to ensure consistent delivery and strong client alignment.

Design Management and Procurement

• Direct PMCM design management during the DMP and pre-construction stages, making sure Lead Developer outputs match the project design intent, program goals, target zoning, plot ratios, and client standards.
• Lead value engineering workshops, procurement strategy planning, and tendering activities in line with client and Ministry of Finance requirements.

Construction Supervision and Contract Administration

• Oversee and manage Lead Developer entities at all sites during construction, ensuring compliance with the Terms of Engagement, program timelines, regulatory requirements, and quality expectations.
• Manage contract administration tasks such as payment certification, change order control, claims assessment, and coordination with government bodies and utility providers.

Project Controls and Reporting

• Set up and sustain the project controls system covering schedule, cost, quality, and risk, and ensure earned value management, KPI monitoring, and risk mitigation are applied consistently across the program.
• Review and sign off on key deliverables, including monthly progress updates, cost reports, risk logs, and schedule revisions, and provide the client with prompt executive briefings and exception reports.

QHSE, Closeout, and Team Management

• Promote a zero-incident safety mindset and lead the risk management approach while ensuring ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and ISO 9001 standards are upheld across all developer-facing activities.
• Guide the closeout stage through snagging, commissioning, handover documentation, and the Final Close-Out Report, and ensure all PMCM staff are mobilized within 30 days of the client’s written request.

Qualifications and Experience

• More than 20 years of relevant professional experience, including over 12 years in a Project Director or similar senior leadership role (Category A).
• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related discipline; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Membership in a recognized chartered or professional engineering institution.
• A proven history of leading major land development, infrastructure, or urban development programs, preferably within the GCC or KSA environment.
• International / Western qualifications and experience.