Director - Cost Planning Sk301

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 frameworksDefine and implement enterprise cost planning strategy, standards, and technical guidelinesMaintain end-to-end accountability for the CDU Cost Planning function, including capability development, tools, and methodologiesLead the standardisation of cost planning processes, data structures, and reporting outputs across BUsDrive capability building and mentoring of BU cost planning teams to ensure consistent maturity and performance levelsRepresent CDU in senior governance forums (PCG, Stage Gate panels, executive committees) ensuring alignment and endorsement of cost positionsGovernance, Stage Gate Assurance & Risk ManagementProvide independent cost assurance to support Stage Gate decisions across all assets and BUsEnsure compliance with CDU Cost Planning Technical Guidelines, procurement protocols, and governance proceduresLead enterprise cost governance, including audit readiness, risk oversight, and reporting to executive and Board-level stakeholdersEstablish and enforce robust cost assurance mechanisms, including reviews, validations, and independent challengeProactively identify and manage portfolio-level cost risks and opportunities to enhance predictability and financial performanceCross-BU Collaboration & Stakeholder Influence;Act as the central interface between CDU and BU leadership teams, ensuring alignment on cost planning approaches and prioritiesCollaborate with Development, Design, Commercial, and Procurement functions to integrate cost planning into decision-makingEngage confidently with DevCo leadership, executive panels, and external cost consultancies, influencing outcomes at the highest levelCommunicate complex cost information into clear, high-impact insights for executive audiencesPromote a culture of constructive challenge and evidence-based decision-making across all BUsDemonstrate cultural awareness, inclusivity, and strong interpersonal leadership across a diverse organisationTechnical Authority & Cost Planning ExcellenceAct as CDU's technical authority on cost planning, ensuring robust, data-driven cost positions across all projectsMaintain and continuously validate a portfolio-wide view of cost positions, ensuring consistency and transparencyLead the review and challenge of cost consultant outputs across BUs to ensure alignment with benchmarks and best practiceEnsure cost planning is fully integrated with design development, enabling budgets to guide design and optimise valueProvide early-stage strategic cost advice for new assets, developments, and investment decisionsOversee procurement, performance, and governance of cost consultants across the organisationBenchmarking, Digital Transformation & Market IntelligenceEstablish and maintain enterprise benchmarking frameworks, including SAR/m² (GFA) datasets aligned to Qiddiya asset classesDrive adoption of digital cost planning tools (e.g., CostX, benchmarking platforms, AI-enabled solutions) across CDU and BUsLead the development of master rates libraries and cost databases, ensuring data integrity and accessibilityProvide market intelligence insights, including inflation trends, supply chain risks, and regional benchmarking comparisonsSupport development of Cost Planning KPIs and performance dashboards across the portfolioRequirementsBachelor'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 preferredAt 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 projectsStrong capability in benchmarking (SAR/m² GFA), cost modelling, and risk analysisProficiency in cost planning systems and digital tools (CostX, BIM integration, benchmarking platforms)Executive-level communication and presentation skillsProven ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholdersStrong cross-functional collaborationBenefitsThe opportunity to be part of one of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious city developmentsA role dedicated to a specific residential asset type, allowing you to build deep expertise in your areaA fast-paced, high-impact environment where strategic thinking and execution excellence are highly valuedCollaboration with global industry leaders in real estate development, architecture, and planning