Program Senior Director

Role Overview

This position sits within Strategy Management in Riyadh and is responsible for shaping strategic direction, leading priority programs, and ensuring disciplined execution across planning, governance, budget control, risk management, and stakeholder alignment. The role also contributes to workforce planning, talent development, and operational excellence within the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and roll out strategic plans that align with the division’s objectives.
• Contribute inputs for workforce planning by forecasting the needs of the department.
• Help establish and maintain the operating framework, provide direction on work methods, and support continuous review and improvement of processes to sustain strong performance.
• Assist with the department’s annual budgeting and reporting activities alongside the division budget, obtain the required approvals, monitor spending, and keep costs within budget.
• Provide strategic advisory support to SAB entities and subsidiaries when needed, including participation in formal roles or memberships where relevant to business goals.
• Build and sustain a pipeline of future talent for critical roles and mentor employees with high potential.
• Track goal achievement and KPI performance for direct reports and ensure the performance management cycle is effectively applied.
• Support employee growth through coaching, regular feedback, guidance, and development opportunities that help teams meet targets.
• Coordinate team activities so work is delivered efficiently and in accordance with annual plans, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee the application of risk policies and procedures covering operational, regulatory, financial, information, reputational, and audit risks, ensuring compliance with internal controls and regulations.
• Review the effectiveness of internal controls against operating procedures and regulatory requirements, and take corrective action where audit findings require it.
• Model the expected behaviours aligned with SAB values and the Risk Culture Framework to encourage sound, risk-aware decision-making.
• Lead the delivery of designated high-profile strategic programs and projects assigned by management.
• Ensure each assigned program or project has a clear plan, scope, budget, resourcing, and strong governance structure.
• Oversee governance forums such as steering committees and working groups for assigned initiatives.
• Escalate critical issues and decisions to the Project Sponsor and Head of E-PMO when needed.
• Prepare and review status updates and reporting for assigned programs and projects.
• Drive delivery proactively to keep projects aligned with approved timelines and plans.
• Carry out specific project tasks that support implementation and successful completion.
• Supervise the main IT execution stages, including testing, pilot runs, and launch activities.
• Manage non-IT workstreams such as change management, communications, and training.
• Influence and gain commitment from stakeholders across the bank on requirements, quality, budget, schedule, scope, risk mitigation, and contingency planning.
• Enable cross-functional coordination and open communication so execution remains transparent and aligned across SAB.
• Handle stakeholder expectations and resolve disagreements to preserve momentum and satisfaction.
• Monitor approved budgets against actual spend and forecasts, and identify scope expansion or unapproved budget pressure early.
• Maintain the benefits register and track realization milestones.

Qualifications and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Statistics, or a closely related discipline is required. The role calls for approximately 13 years of experience, including about 6 years in a relevant senior position.

Additional Information

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.