Digby Morris Executive Search & Talent Acquisition
Director Cost Planning (Saudi Arabia based)
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Director – Cost Planning (Multiple Positions)
Full time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
About the Company
Our client is one of the Middle East's largest and most ambitious destination development organisations, delivering a multi-billion-dollar mixed-use programme that forms a key part of Saudi Arabia's long-term economic diversification strategy.
The development spans hundreds of square kilometres and will create a new destination centred around entertainment, sport, culture, hospitality, retail, commercial and residential neighbourhoods, supported by world-class infrastructure and public realm. The programme comprises numerous concurrent developments, ranging from iconic attractions and luxury hospitality to major transport infrastructure and mixed-use districts.
With significant long-term investment and a multidisciplinary international team, the organisation is creating one of the region's most complex real estate portfolios, offering professionals the opportunity to influence projects from concept through to delivery at an exceptional scale.
The Opportunity
Our client is seeking multiple experienced Directors – Cost Planning to join its Development function, leading front-end cost planning across a portfolio of developments including residential, commercial, retail & mixed-use.
These are strategic, hands-on positions focused on influencing design decisions through robust cost planning rather than traditional post-design estimating. Working alongside Development, Design, Finance and external consultants, you will help shape commercially successful projects by ensuring cost, value and design remain aligned throughout the development lifecycle.
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The role is suited to an individual who combines strong commercial judgement with technical credibility and enjoys working collaboratively within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead cost planning activities across large-scale masterplans and mixed-use developments from concept through design development.
- Develop and maintain robust cost planning methodologies, benchmarks and cost models to support investment decisions.
- Partner closely with Development, Design and Finance teams to ensure cost plans support commercial objectives while maintaining design quality.
- Review, challenge and validate work produced by external quantity surveying and cost consultancy partners.
- Influence design decisions through value-based analysis, identifying opportunities to maximise commercial returns while maintaining project quality.
- Prepare and present cost advice to senior stakeholders throughout the development process.
- Ensure consistency of cost planning standards across multiple assets, project phases and development typologies.
- Support feasibility studies, business cases and investment appraisals from a cost planning perspective.
- Monitor market conditions, construction costs, procurement trends and supply chain risks to inform decision-making.
- Drive continuous improvement in cost planning processes, reporting and governance.
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Approximately 10–15 years' experience within cost planning, quantity surveying or development advisory.
- Strong front-end cost planning experience, with a focus on influencing development strategy rather than solely producing cost estimates.
- Experience working on large-scale mixed-use, masterplanned or complex real estate developments.
- Previous experience with developers, leading consultancies or major client organisations would be advantageous.
- Experience managing external cost consultants and multidisciplinary stakeholder groups.
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Technical Skills
- Excellent understanding of cost planning methodologies, benchmarking and value engineering.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance design ambition against financial performance.
- Comfortable interpreting design metrics and translating them into commercial outcomes.
- Strong analytical and financial modelling capabilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Personal Attributes
- Collaborative and approachable with strong stakeholder management skills.
- Hands-on, proactive and comfortable working in detail when required.
- Confident challenging assumptions and influencing design teams through data and commercial reasoning.
- Naturally inquisitive with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Able to thrive within a fast-moving, highly collaborative development environment.
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to contribute to one of the region's largest and most complex mixed-use development programmes.
- Exposure to internationally recognised consultants, designers and delivery partners.
- A collaborative working environment where commercial thinking and innovation are encouraged.
- The opportunity to influence projects from early concept through delivery.
- Long-term career development within a globally significant development organisation.
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