Job Summary
The Project Director is responsible for the overall leadership and delivery of large-scale data centre projects in Saudi Arabia within a general contracting environment. The role has full accountability for project performance, including safety, programme, cost, quality, and commercial outcomes, ensuring compliance with Saudi regulations, local authority requirements, and contractual obligations. Working closely with clients, consultants, subcontractors and key stakeholders, the Project Director builds, develops and leads multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission-critical data centre facilities to the highest standards, while managing local supply chains, Saudization requirements, and fast-track project demands in the KSA market.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Delivery:
- Provide end-to-end leadership for complex, mission-critical data centre project from mobilisation through commissioning and handover.
- Take full responsibility for project performance, including programme, cost control, quality, safety, and risk management.
- Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, technical specifications, and regional regulations.
- Lead project governance, reporting, and decision-making at senior and client levels.
- Appointment of individuals to key project positions.
- Work across company functional departments to engage support for on time delivery.
Client & Stakeholder Management:
- Act as the primary senior point of contact for clients, consultants, subcontractors and key stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring confidence in delivery and responsiveness.
- Manage client expectations and lead negotiations on variations, claims, and commercial matters.
Commercial & Contractual Oversight:
- Oversee commercial strategy in collaboration with commercial team.
- Ensure effective cost control, forecasting, and cash flow management.
- Review and approve major subcontract packages, procurement strategies, and commercial decisions.
- Manage risk, claims, and dispute avoidance/resolution.
Team & Resource Management:
- Build, Lead, mentor, and develop project management, engineering, construction, and support teams.
- Ensure appropriate resourcing, capability, and succession planning for project delivery.
- Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, and performance excellence.
Programme, Quality & Safety:
- Ensure robust planning and programme controls are in place to meet critical data centre milestones.
- Drive best-in-class quality assurance and control processes aligned with data centre standards.
- Champion health, safety, and environmental excellence across all project activities.
Pre-Construction & Business Support:
- Support pre-construction, tendering, and bid teams with construction methodology, programme input, and risk reviews.
- Contribute to value engineering, buildability reviews, and logistics planning.
- Support business development efforts related to data centre opportunities where required.
Preferred Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- 15+ years experience in construction delivery, with significant experience as a Project Director or Senior Project Manager.
- Proven track record delivering large-scale data centre projects within a General Contracting / Main Contractor environment.
- Middle East & Saudi Arabia experience, including knowledge of local regulations and practices.
- Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-disciplinary teams and major subcontractors.
- Strong commercial, contractual, and risk management expertise.
Key Competencies
- Executive-level project leadership
- Data centre construction expertise (mission-critical environments)
- Client and stakeholder management
- Commercial and contractual acumen
- Programme and risk management
- Decision-making under pressure
- Safety and quality leadership
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership presence and credibility at client and executive level.
- Highly organised, decisive, and results-driven.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multi-cultural teams.
- Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-risk, mission-critical environments.
