Director - Operations and Event Delivery

About Qiddiya

Qiddiya represents Saudi Arabia's upcoming premier hub for entertainment, sports, and culture, encompassing a massive 360 km² development near Riyadh. This ambitious project features attractions like F1-level racetracks, theme parks, stadiums, and performance venues, aimed at creating a unique destination and driving national transformation.

Role Purpose

The Director of Operations and Event Delivery will lead the planning, coordination, and operational execution of all event-related activities within the Cultural and Heritage program, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery aligned with asset and program objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive planning and operational execution of all event operations for the Cultural and Heritage program, including the Festival and year-round events.
• Convert programming, marketing, and commercial strategies into detailed operational delivery plans and models.
• Develop and oversee event schedules, operations plans, and determine resource needs.
• Ensure flawless implementation of programming and activities according to operational plans.
• Direct logistics, site readiness activities, and event overlay setups — including temporary infrastructure, services, and utilities.
• Guarantee all operational infrastructure is prepared before events and maintained throughout event cycles.
• Manage site setup, dismantling, and transitions between events or programming phases.
• Coordinate planning for movement, access, transportation, parking, and crowd flow management.
• Establish and enforce health, safety, and security (HSE) policies for all operations.
• Oversee crowd management strategies, emergency preparedness, and incident response mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and collaborate with security agencies and governmental authorities to secure safe event delivery.
• Maintain a superior visitor experience through effective guest flow, queue management, accessibility, and service quality.
• Monitor live event operations, swiftly addressing any on-ground issues.
• Manage relationships and performance of all operational vendors, contractors, and service providers, coordinating closely with procurement and contract teams.
• Lead cross-functional feasibility evaluations for programming, marketing, and commercial initiatives to ensure operational alignment.
• Collaborate with programming, commercial, and marketing teams to align operational capabilities with program requirements and campaign demands.
• Coordinate closely with Asset and Site Management teams to ensure facilities, infrastructure, and maintenance readiness and alignment with operational demands.
• Provide operational insights into planning, budgeting, and performance evaluation aligned with group directives.
• Define, track, and analyze key operational performance indicators including safety, service quality, and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on monitoring event operations and identifying optimization opportunities.

Success Metrics

• Effective operational execution according to plan.
• High visitor satisfaction and outstanding guest experience.
• Strong health, safety, and security performance.
• Efficient delivery of event operations.
• Successful readiness and management of major events.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated expertise managing large-scale event operations and delivery.
• Proficiency in handling complex logistics and extensive site operations.
• Thorough knowledge of crowd management and HSE standards for large events.
• Ability to perform under pressure in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Proven aptitude for cross-functional coordination and execution.

Qualifications and Experience

• 12 to 15+ years of significant leadership experience overseeing extensive operations and event delivery.
• Proven track record in planning and delivering major events, festivals, or destination operations with large visitor volumes.
• Experience managing complex environments with multiple sites or zones, diverse stakeholder groups, and activities.
• Expertise in end-to-end event operations including logistics, site readiness, and live event execution.
• Strong background in crowd control, health and safety management, and security operations within public event contexts.
• Operational planning experience for transport, access, and site movement logistics.
• Vendor and contractor management skills across a variety of service lines.
• Ability to make critical real-time decisions, particularly in high-pressure operational settings.
• Experience collaborating with government regulators and security bodies.
• Leadership of large, multidisciplinary operational teams and on-site staff.
• Preferred experience in pre-opening, activation phases, and transition from readiness to active operations for large venues or events.