Director - Operational Advisory - Hospitality - 50012013 AG6

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 ensure operational excellence is embedded throughout the planning and design process.

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and direction for the operational planning and design development of all hotel operating areas related to the guest accommodation experience. Working from the earliest project stages, you will establish the operational vision, governance and decision-making framework required to translate operational requirements into efficient, guest-centric design solutions that optimize both the guest journey and hotel operations. Partnering with senior stakeholders across Development, Design, Operators and consultants, you will direct the planning of guest-facing and back-of-house operational areas, ensuring alignment with asset strategy, operator requirements, operational best practices and Hospitality BU standards. You will balance Qiddiya’s design vision with hotel requirements, challenge traditional brand approaches and champion innovative, forward-looking solutions across the portfolio.

Applications close on 7th Sept 2026.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the operational planning and design development of hotel operating areas related to the guest accommodation experience, from Strategy Brief through design development.
• Establish and approve operational concepts, planning principles and design criteria for all Rooms Division functions, including arrival experience, driveway, porte cochère, parking, lobby planning, Front Office, Concierge, Bell Services, Guest Relations, Club Lounge, Housekeeping, Laundry and associated BOH support areas.
• Provide executive-level review and challenge of design proposals to ensure they support operational efficiency, service delivery, guest experience and long-term asset performance.
• Direct and approve operational workflows, adjacencies and functional relationships between guest-facing and back-of-house areas.
• Oversee and approve Facility Schedules and space allocations to ensure operational functionality and efficient utilization of space.
• Build senior-level alignment across Design Management, Design Excellence, F&B, Wellness, MEP and Development teams to ensure integrated operational planning across all hospitality assets.
• Lead strategic engagement with hotel Operators to interpret and challenge brand standards and operational requirements, ensuring they are appropriately reflected in the design while supporting Qiddiya's asset vision.
• Chair or lead operational design reviews throughout all project stages, resolving key operational risks, advancing opportunities and ensuring improvements are incorporated before design decisions are finalized.
• Provide final operational endorsement of mock-up rooms, operational layouts and back-of-house planning to validate functionality and guest experience.
• Own and govern the development of operational planning standards, design guidelines and best practices across the Hospitality BU.
• Set portfolio-wide benchmarks against international hospitality best practices and emerging operational trends.
• Drive continuous improvement of Hospitality BU operational planning processes, standards and governance.

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in luxury hotel operations, operational planning, design development, technical services, or hotel pre-opening projects.
• Strong leadership experience within Rooms Division or related hotel operations.
• Extensive senior operational leadership experience within luxury or upper-upscale hotels.
• Strong knowledge of hotel operations, guest journey planning, and operational design.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC is preferred.