Executive Director - Design Excellence - 20013062 CM5

About the roleAt 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 help deliver them to the highest standards of design quality, guest experience and commercial performance. In this role, you will lead the Design Excellence function across the hospitality portfolio, setting the creative and technical design agenda from strategy through to delivery. You will act as the senior design authority, ensuring all assets deliver distinctive, high-quality and commercially robust environments, underpinned by strong design integrity, innovation and alignment with Qiddiya’s vision.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the Design Excellence function, across creative disciplines, design standards, BIM and project-embedded design management resources, shaping and endorsing design direction across the portfolio and guiding outcomes through key governance stagesCurate creative design responses, integrating Qiddiya, district and Operator visions to deliver distinctive, emotive and commercially viable assetsDefine design principles, typologies and benchmarks for each hotel tier, establishing consistent, validated design baselinesLead consultant strategy and governance across the portfolio, including scope definition, briefing, selection and performance managementLead technical input to development briefs and integrated coordination across disciplines, shaping planning, spatial configuration and system integrationProvide technical design oversight through design and construction, resolving interfaces and deviations to maintain quality and design intentGuide design reviews across key milestones to ensure alignment with design intent and project objectivesGuide value engineering and design optimisation, assessing impact on design intent and asset performanceOversee consultant performance to ensure quality, coordination and alignment across disciplinesChampion sustainability and low-carbon design, embedding ESG and Vision 2030 prioritiesMentor teams and drive continuous improvement of design processes, standards and best practices Proven track record delivering large-scale hospitality portfolios, including luxury assetsExperience governing external consultants and multi-disciplinary design teamsExperience working with hotel Operators and brand standardsExperience within large-scale or multi-asset development environmentsExperience in KSA / GCC or similar large-scale development environments preferredQualificationsBachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design or related discipline Professional Certifications (if required)Professional membership or recognised certification preferred (e.g. RIBA, AIA, RICS or equivalent) Years of Experience18+ years’ experience in design management, architecture or interior design, with senior leadership experience Attractive compensations and benefits package