Director - Design Governance - CDU-015

Role Specific Requirements

The Director – Design Governance is in the leadership team of the Design Excellence vertical of the Central Development Unit (CDU) . CDU acts as a center of excellence, setting standards and driving consistency across complex development projects by providing tools and processes for best practice delivery.

Design Excellence ensures projects embody “Qiddiya-ness” by creating standardized measures of design quality across the program.

Our Design Governance team is accountable for governance and compliance frameworks, overseeing the monitoring of Board-approved design deliverables, managing the central repository of approved design assets, and conducting systematic audits to safeguard design intent and quality.

A global design leader with broad expertise in building typologies and urban design, who will lead an agile, high impact team—bridging design, project management, and governance to embed standards and resolve compliance challenges, enabling timely, compliant delivery of development outcomes that uphold quality, integrity, and Qiddiya’s vision.

Purpose

1. Support the CDU design management TOM mandates to maintain alignment with overall QIC vision and strategic objectives.
2. Support organizational awareness and integration of design intent with delivery outcomes.
3. Support bridging of the Strategic Design Support and Design Governance functions such that frameworks are defined, operationalized and continuously improved.
4. Support end-to-end mapping of project delivery processes across specific delivery models.
5. Drive the establishment of robust design stage-gate frameworks and governance instruments.
6. Interface with Design Procurement Support function relating to design consultancy qualitative selection guidelines and management frameworks.
7. Operate within the CDU DEx Target Operating Model (TOM) mandates in support of the delivery Business Units.

Mandate

1. Support the DEx Executive Director's strategic priorities and objectives to successfully develop and implement the Integrated Design Management Program (IDMP) as the vehicle to deliver the MD’s strategic objective ‘F5 Design Management & Governance Framework’ approved in the March 2026 N-1.
2. Collaboratively drive the definition, implementation and continuous evolution of design governance and consultancy management frameworks for QIC.
3. Integrate strategic Design Support and Design Governance functions into a unified and portfolio-wide approach.
4. Collaboratively drive adoption and consistent application across the Business Units.
5. Support the Design Governance Lead in the development, rollout and continuous refinement of the functions’ mandates.
6. Drive alignment between design intent, procurement strategies and delivery execution.
7. Collaboratively support and drive a feedback loop from DEx processes to project delivery to deliver continuous improvements and knowledge share using online platforms and evidence value + to QIC.
8. Contribute towards a culture of quality, innovation, performance and excellence within the team.

Responsibilities

1. Support cross-functional integration at QIC level across design, procurement and delivery functions.
2. Support the DEx ED to continuously evolve integrated design management and governance frameworks across specific delivery models.
3. Lead the development and quarterly publication of the Integrated Design Management Manual (IDMM), including hard and soft copy compendium of DEx issued and emerging design management procedures on the DEx SharePoint site.
4. Collaboratively support the development of RFP suites for LDC multidiscipline consultancy services aligned with procurement strategies, including scope of services and technical annexures with the Design Procurement Support function.
5. Drive the development and rollout of baseline specifications across key disciplines, aligned with QIC best practice, sustainability, applicable codes, standards and international / regional / local regulations.
6. Oversee preparation and collation of Employer Information Package (EIP) to ensure consistent design guidance to appointed consultants.
7. Identify and drive opportunities for standardization and optimization through prototypes and repeatable design solutions leading to DEx best practice guidelines.
8. Support the Design Governance mandates through structured reporting, PCG committee engagement, and effective implementation across the Business Units.
9. Support continuous improvement and high performance through data analysis from online platforms in collaboration with all DEx functions.
10. Support organisational capability building through structured DEx awareness campaigns for key DEx initiatives and processes, training, mentoring and knowledge-sharing.
11. Drive the establishment of an Integrated Design Management Excellence upskilling and training programme, utilising the existing playbook for the Integrated Project Management programme.
12. Drive the establishment of a central repository for QIC-wide CGIs;
13. Interface with support and drive the upgrading of the Stage Gate Review Panel template, especially to include the proposed CGI image comparison initiatives in collaboration with the Virtual City (VC) and BIM & Digital Delivery functions;

Outcomes

1. Successful delivery of all DEx mandates and priorities as per the agreed timelines in the 2026 and 20226-2030 programmes.
2. Successful establishment and adoption of the MD’s DEx Strategic Objective F5 and the Integrated Design Management Program (IDMP) across QIC.
3. Consistent implementation and continuous improvements of Design Governance mandates and frameworks with measurable and evidence-based adoption.
4. Effective cross-function collaborations, supporting quality and effectiveness across the DEx TOM
5. Delivery of structured outcomes including IDMM, RFP suites, baseline specifications and Employer Information Packages.
6. Improved design quality, consistency and predictability across DEx mandates.
7. Reduction in design-to-delivery gaps, rework and late-stage design changes, supporting value + and efficiency.
8. Support the evidenced relevance of DEx within the CDU and to all Business Units, especially the delivery Business Units
9. Enhanced decision-making clarity through structured governance, online reporting and committee engagement.
10. Increased efficiency through standardisation, prototyping and optimisation of repeatable and standardised design elements (floor layouts, back of house logistics).

Safety

• Prioritize wellbeing
• Address challenges directly
• Take responsibility for safety
• Correct unsafe practices
• Learn from mistakes to continuously improve
• Hold each other accountable with support and care

Integrity

• Communicate truthfully and straightforwardly
• Keep commitments and fulfill promises
• Respect others' rights, dignity, and opinions
• Uphold high professional standards

Innovation

• Encourage innovation with an open, nimble approach
• Maintain a curious mindset
• Eager to learn and improve
• Think creatively beyond conventions
• Continuously seek ways to enhance performance

Collaboration

• Open, honest engagement with all stakeholders
• Frequent, respectful, transparent communication
• Celebrate successes
• Collaboratively resolve issues

Inclusion

• Respect diverse cultures
• Listen to different perspectives
• Maintain an open mindset to diverse ideas and information
• Build and engage diverse teams equitably and fairly
• Treat everyone with respect and equality

Quality

• Ask direct, rational questions
• Speak relevantly for the audience
• Be a team player, share knowledge
• Uncompromising quality standards

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in architecture, interior design, urban design, project management or another related design field – if supported by relevant working experience.

Certifications

• Professionally registered with an internationally recognized professional body or authority relevant to their discipline, is an advantage

Experience

• Minimum 20 years of relevant experience in design, engineering and governance within Development
• 10 years’ experience in the Middle East is essential, preferably including KSA
• Proven experience delivering large-scale complex and high value developments and giga-projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in integrating design, procurement and delivery across complex programs.
• Proven track record in establishing and implementing governance frameworks, policies, and procedures at portfolio scale.
• Strong stakeholder management across executive leadership, project teams, consultants and contractors.
• Excellent communication, commercial acumen and professional judgment.
• Strong problem-solving with ability to operate effectively under pressure and to be directable in a dynamic delivery focused context.
• Knowledge of existing KSA regulatory environment, relevant governing agencies and codes applicable to various design typologies.
• Previous background in creating a culture of empowerment and where others share knowledge, insights and learning.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead in complex and matrixed organizations.
• Comfortable working under pressure and managing multiple deadlines.

Comprehensive benefits package

Applications closing on 6 Jun 2026