Senior Vice President of Operations

Our client, a construction company based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is looking for a Senior Vice President of Operations.

• The Senior Vice President of Operations is a key executive leadership role responsible for providing strategic and operational direction to ensure the successful execution of the organization's diverse and complex portfolio of construction projects.
• This role oversees end-to-end construction operations, including field execution, workforce and subcontractor management, health, safety, and environmental compliance, project delivery, and financial performance. Working closely with the President, the Senior Vice President of Operations drives operational excellence, sustainable growth, market expansion, and the implementation of scalable systems and technologies aligned with industry-leading standards and best practices.

REPORTING LINES

Direct Reporting Relationship:

• President

Supervises (Titles):

• Portfolio Directors
• Project Directors
• Project Managers

DUTIES PERFORMED

1. Operational Leadership (40%)

• Review and approve tender documents, including general, technical, commercial, legal, and special conditions.
• Oversee the preparation and approval of technical and commercial proposals, tender submissions, negotiations, and post-tender clarifications.
• Direct day-to-day operations across multiple construction projects, ensuring compliance with quality, budget, and schedule requirements.
• Review and manage contracts, workshop drawings, quantity surveying outputs, and commercial documentation across all projects.
• Lead procurement strategies and negotiate, approve, and manage contracts with suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers.
• Ensure issuance, monitoring, and compliance of letters of guarantee in coordination with Finance.
• Review and approve subcontractor invoices based on verified progress and executed work.
• Review client invoices in coordination with consultants to ensure contractual and commercial accuracy.
• Enforce strict compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations and standards.
• Champion a proactive safety culture across all sites and operational units.

2. Project Delivery & Financial Oversight (30%)

• Collaborate with Portfolio Directors, Project Directors, and Project Managers to ensure effective planning, execution, and timely delivery of project milestones.
• Monitor budgets, cost controls, procurement plans, and overall financial performance across projects.
• Provide executive oversight throughout all project phasesfrom initiation and mobilization through completion and handover.
• Review project scopes and align objectives with client expectations and internal delivery teams.
• Monitor schedules, cash flow, activity programs, and revenue forecasts to achieve financial targets.
• Analyze project performance data and KPIs; recommend and implement corrective actions where required.

3. Performance & Organizational Effectiveness (15%)

• Support the President in driving organizational growth, market expansion, and operational scalability.
• Analyze operational performance to evaluate staff effectiveness, identify cost-saving opportunities, and recommend policy or process improvements.
• Lead corrective action plans addressing organizational, operational, or departmental challenges.
• Oversee continuous improvement of administrative systems, recordkeeping, and operational controls across projects.
• Prepare annual departmental budgets and review estimated project budgets.
• Develop and implement budgetary control systems and financial monitoring tools.
• Participate in feasibility studies, cost analyses, and investment evaluations for new opportunities.

4. Client & Stakeholder Relations (15%)

• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key clients, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities in existing and emerging markets.
• Act as a senior liaison with shareholders, board members, clients, and external partners.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and board members on strategy, issue resolution, and coordination.
• Prepare and present executive reports on operational performance, budgets, expenditures, and strategic initiatives.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, conferences, presentations, and public engagements to promote corporate objectives.

Necessary Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in construction operations management.
• Proven leadership in the successful delivery of large-scale, multi-billion-dollar construction projects.
• Strong expertise in construction methods, cost control, scheduling, and quality assurance.
• Ability to interpret drawings, technical specifications, and contract documents.
• In-depth knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations.
• Demonstrated experience managing diverse workforces and subcontractors.
• Experience working with ERP systems.

Education and Certification (Minimum Requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• PMP or CCM certification preferred.