# Director - Cost Planning SK301

**Company:** [Qiddiya Investment Company](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/tk4V8ANoyWMw9Js529uotH.md)
**Location:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** Central Development Unit BU

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/0045e8e1-f912-41ae-ac52-a0357d5a045f)

## Description

The Director – Cost Planning (CDU) is responsible for leading and governing cost planning across all Business Units (BUs), ensuring consistency, cost certainty, and value optimization across Qiddiya’s portfolio. The role drives enterprise-wide cost planning standards, provides independent assurance to Stage Gate decisions, and builds long-term capability across the organization.

This is a strategic leadership role within CDU, acting as the custodian of cost planning governance, benchmarking, and best practice, while enabling BUs to deliver fully aligned, market-informed, and risk-managed cost outcomes.

### Key Responsibilities

**Enterprise Leadership & Functional Oversight (CDU Role)**

-   Provide **central leadership and oversight of cost planning across all Qiddiya BUs**, ensuring alignment with CDU governance frameworks.
-   Define and implement **enterprise cost planning strategy, standards, and technical guidelines**.
-   Maintain **end-to-end accountability for the CDU Cost Planning function**, including capability development, tools, and methodologies.
-   Lead the **standardisation of cost planning processes, data structures, and reporting outputs** across BUs.
-   Drive **capability building and mentoring** of BU cost planning teams to ensure consistent maturity and performance levels.
-   Represent CDU in **senior governance forums (PCG, Stage Gate panels, executive committees)** ensuring alignment and endorsement of cost positions

**Governance, Stage Gate Assurance & Risk Management**

-   Provide **independent cost assurance** to support Stage Gate decisions across all assets and BUs.
-   Ensure **compliance with CDU Cost Planning Technical Guidelines**, procurement protocols, and governance procedures.
-   Lead **enterprise cost governance**, including audit readiness, risk oversight, and reporting to executive and Board-level stakeholders.
-   Establish and enforce **robust cost assurance mechanisms**, including reviews, validations, and independent challenge.
-   Proactively identify and manage **portfolio-level cost risks and opportunities** to enhance predictability and financial performance.

**Cross-BU Collaboration & Stakeholder Influence;**

-   Act as the **central interface between CDU and BU leadership teams**, ensuring alignment on cost planning approaches and priorities.
-   Collaborate with **Development, Design, Commercial, and Procurement functions** to integrate cost planning into decision-making.
-   Engage confidently with **DevCo leadership, executive panels, and external cost consultancies**, influencing outcomes at the highest level.
-   Communicate complex cost information into **clear, high-impact insights for executive audiences**.
-   Promote a culture of **constructive challenge and evidence-based decision-making** across all BUs.
-   Demonstrate **cultural awareness, inclusivity, and strong interpersonal leadership** across a diverse organisation.

**Technical Authority & Cost Planning Excellence**

-   Act as **CDU’s technical authority on cost planning**, ensuring robust, data-driven cost positions across all projects.
-   Maintain and continuously validate a **portfolio-wide view of cost positions**, ensuring consistency and transparency.
-   Lead the **review and challenge of cost consultant outputs** across BUs to ensure alignment with benchmarks and best practice.
-   Ensure **cost planning is fully integrated with design development**, enabling budgets to guide design and optimise value.
-   Provide **early-stage strategic cost advice** for new assets, developments, and investment decisions.
-   Oversee **procurement, performance, and governance of cost consultants** across the organisation.

**Benchmarking, Digital Transformation & Market Intelligence**

-   Establish and maintain **enterprise benchmarking frameworks**, including SAR/m² (GFA) datasets aligned to Qiddiya asset classes.
-   Drive adoption of **digital cost planning tools (e.g., CostX, benchmarking platforms, AI-enabled solutions)** across CDU and BUs.
-   Lead the **development of master rates libraries and cost databases**, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
-   Provide **market intelligence insights**, including inflation trends, supply chain risks, and regional benchmarking comparisons.
-   Support development of **Cost Planning KPIs and performance dashboards** across the portfolio.

## Requirements

-   Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance or related discipline; a Master’s degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., RICS, PMP) is preferred.
-   At least 12 years of progressive experience in cost planning leadership within large-scale, complex developments (giga-project experience preferred)
-   Proven experience in centralized or matrix organizations (CDU / shared services model)
-   Strong background in management and procurement (e.g., Ariba or equivalent platforms)
-   Advanced cost planning expertise across large-scale mixed-use or giga projects
-   Strong capability in **benchmarking (SAR/m² GFA), cost modelling, and risk analysis**
-   Proficiency in **cost planning systems and digital tools (CostX, BIM integration, benchmarking platforms)**
-   Executive-level communication and presentation skills
-   Proven ability to **challenge and influence senior stakeholders**
-   Strong cross-functional collaboration

## Benefits

-   The opportunity to **be part of one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious city developments**.
-   A role dedicated to a **specific residential asset type**, allowing you to build deep expertise in your area.
-   A fast-paced, high-impact environment where **strategic thinking and execution excellence** are highly valued.
-   Collaboration with **global industry leaders** in real estate development, architecture, and planning