Workplace - Design Project Director (Urban Core) (REQ743)

About the Role / About the Job
The Workplace Design Project Lead is responsible for leading the successful design, planning, and delivery of the Workplace Interiors of the corporate headquarters in the company. This role involves managing the project from early concept and business case development through to comprehensive briefs, design, procurement, construction, and operational handover.
The proposed headquarters will be a world-class Grade A+, future-ready workplace ecosystem spanning approximately 120,000 sqm and accommodating approximately 9,000 people. Designed to enhance human performance, foster innovation, and set a benchmark for sustainable workplace design, the campus will provide a flexible and resilient environment that evolves with the organization’s needs.
Key responsibilities include aligning the corporate headquarters’ workplace with other workplace projects to ensure they support the company’s strategic objectives and employee needs, as well as representing the corporate workplace across leadership forums. The role requires close collaboration with Base Building Development Directors to integrate workplace requirements into base building designs and infrastructure from early design stages, ensuring alignment with broader development objectives and long-term business needs.
The successful candidate will possess extensive experience in design management for large-scale corporate workplace projects, demonstrating strong capabilities in leading design phases from workplace strategy through to approvals. Strong technical understanding of workplace planning, fit-out design, and strategic project leadership is essential, along with exceptional stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate complex workplace design processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Leadership & Delivery

   • Lead end-to-end design and delivery of the corporate headquarters workplace, ensuring alignment with workplace strategy, program, budget, quality, and compliance requirements.
   • Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as the Office Development team, Corporate Workplace Team, HR, IT, Smart Buildings Team, DMO, ESG, and Corporate Governance.
   • Manage external consultants, project management consultants, workplace design teams, quantity surveyors, and contractors as clients.
   • Coordinate all workplace delivery phases with an emphasis on front-end design management, including strategy, feasibility, briefing, concept design, design development, approvals, procurement, construction, fit-out, commissioning, and transition to occupancy.
   • Work with Workplace Delivery teams to ensure procurement, phasing, quality, and compliance are achieved.

2. Strategic Vision & Internal Alignment

   • Translate company strategic goals, brand identity, and public mission into workplace design outcomes.
   • Shape the headquarters as a high-performing, flexible, inclusive, and sustainable workplace.
   • Align the physical workspace with the organization’s operating model, functional briefing, technology roadmap, and corporate culture.
   • Drive positive organizational change associated with the move.

3. Governance & Public Accountability

   • Ensure robust reporting and project governance in line with organizational frameworks.
   • Prepare and present business cases, board papers, risk reports, and budget updates to executive stakeholders.
   • Ensure procurement activities follow probity, equity, and value-for-money principles.
   • Steward funds through strong cost control, transparency, and risk management.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

   • Engage with executive leadership and internal stakeholders to ensure project goals are communicated and supported.
   • Coordinate user engagement, change management, and communication strategies for transition preparation.
   • Act as a trusted advisor to internal teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education

  • Tertiary qualifications in Project Management, Construction Management, Architecture, or related fields are imperative.
  • Professional certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or construction management are desirable.

• Preferred Work Experience

  • Minimum 15+ years’ experience in leading complex corporate workplace interiors, including large-scale headquarters or campus-style projects.
  • Proven track record in managing medium-to-large commercial workplace projects.
  • Experience in integrated workplace fit-out project delivery is beneficial.
  • Knowledge of ESG ratings and sustainability standards (e.g., LEED, Green Star, BREEAM, WELL) is advantageous.
  • Ability to manage all aspects of workplace projects, from briefs to design management and operational readiness.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels, including internal departments and senior leadership.
  • GCC experience is desirable but not essential.

• Technical Acumen

  • Understanding of workplace strategy, planning, and fit-out delivery.
  • Skilled in budgeting, procurement, program management, risk, and value engineering.
  • Familiarity with public-sector procurement processes.
  • Experience in sustainability standards and accessibility compliance.

• Strategic & Business Skills

  • Ability to translate organizational strategy into project outcomes.
  • Skilled in writing and presenting business cases and executive reports.
  • Capable of balancing multiple internal priorities while managing complex programs.
  • High level of integrity and accountability in budget management.

• Leadership & Soft Skills

  • Collaborative Leadership: Ability to influence and build consensus across departments.
  • Strong Communicator: Engages diverse internal audiences.
  • Change Leadership: Guides organizational change regarding workplace transformation.
  • Problem Solver: Analytical and pragmatic approach to managing challenges.
  • Empathy & Inclusion: A people-centric leader promoting a safe and inclusive workplace.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Maintains focus under pressure and navigates ambiguity with professionalism.

Working Conditions

• Primarily based in Riyadh / City, with regular attendance at project sites and workshops.
• May require travel within the GCC region and other international destinations as projects necessitate.
• Flexibility to engage cross-functional teams and consultants across planning and implementation stages is required.