Program Manager - Special Projects

Tahaluf is rewriting the events playbook. Its purpose is transformational, its DNA digital, and its ambition unprecedented. Tahaluf is scaling to further increase its lead as the largest B2B Live and On Demand Events organiser in Saudi Arabia: by SQM, Attendance, Colleagues and Revenue.   

To scale at this pace requires impeccable local partners, and Tahaluf is proud to enjoy the support and partnership of several Government and Non-Government Organisations that are at the apex of Saudi’s B2B and B2C large scale events scene. In fact, our partners do not just support the expansion of live events in the Kingdom; they are also the partner of choice for heavyweights like Apple, Amazon and AliBaba.   

Be part of something BIG! Building on the success of record-breaking tech event LEAP , the most attended tech event in the world, Tahaluf is making a huge impact on the global events sector. Tahaluf is bringing iconic Informa brands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including Cityscape Global , which celebrated record-breaking participation at its debut Saudi edition and award-winning cyber-security event Black Hat , as well as establishing Saudi-born brands, such as InFlavour , a not-to-be-missed meeting place for the global Food & Beverage industry.  

Join our ambitious and highly committed team, who are not afraid to push boundaries and disrupt the status quo. Be ready to be thrown in at the deep end, taking on large-scale projects from day one, under the guidance of a supportive leadership team who will encourage your personal development and offer you new opportunities.  

Job Description

We are building awe-inspiring experiences . We are launching award-winning brands. And we are scaling faster than any event organiser in history. Take a leap with Tahaluf, we are offering you the chance to:  

• Work within a highly dynamic business with the energy and style of a start-up  

• Be part of building a business that is launching new products and events at scale  

• Grab an opportunity to accelerate your career and make a real impact.  

The Role

As a Program Manager in the Strategy & Operations team, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of a portfolio of critical initiatives and projects that are non-routine and strategically important to the organization. Your role is to plan relevant programs, execute, and deliver its projects successfully, ensuring they align with organizational goals and drive business outcomes.

In this initially hybrid role, you will execute the role of a Senior Project Manager when required, ensuring the successful completion of individual projects within the program of work for Tahaluf. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership to ensure that projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget while meeting quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Planning and Execution:

· Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of special projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

· Identify and lead cross-functional project teams, providing direction, guidance, and support throughout the project lifecycle.

· Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement effective mitigation strategies to ensure timely delivery and quality outcomes.

Stakeholder Management:

· Collaborate with stakeholders internal and external to Tahaluf, including department heads, senior management, and external partners/vendors to gather requirements, define project scope, and establish clear communication channels.

· Manage expectations of varying stakeholders internal and external to Tahaluf.

· Act as the primary point of contact for all project-related inquiries, updates, and escalations, maintaining a high level of transparency and accountability.

Budgeting and Financial Management:

· Develop program and project budgets and forecasts in collaboration with key leadership and budget owners, ensuring alignment with organizational financial goals and constraints.

· Monitor project expenditures, track budget variances, and ensure optimal value is delivered against budget allowances.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

· Conduct thorough risk assessments for each project, identifying potential obstacles, dependencies, and external factors that may impact project success

· Proactively address and mitigate risks through effective contingency planning, resource reallocation, or stakeholder engagement.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement:

· Establish project management best practices, methodologies, and quality standards across all special projects.

· Conduct post-project reviews and evaluations to identify lessons learned, areas for improvement, and opportunities for optimization in future projects.

Business Gap Identification and Project Establishment:

· Proactively identify business gaps and opportunities through strategic analysis and collaboration with key stakeholders.

· Propose and establish new projects/initiatives to address identified business gaps and capitalise on opportunities for growth and improvement.

Project Transparency and Reporting:

· Provide project transparency through relevant reporting mechanisms, ensuring stakeholders are kept informed of project status, milestones, and key performance indicators.

· Develop and distribute regular project status reports, highlighting progress, issues, and potential risks, and presenting actionable insights for decision-making.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in business administration, operations, project management or a related field.

Qualities & experience

· +6 years of experience in project and/or program management, demonstrating success in managing complex bodies of work.

· Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

· Adaptability and openness to new challenges in fast-paced environments.

· Familiarity with the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, is advantageous.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.

· Proficiency in project management tools/software and data analysis techniques.

· Ability to work on projects from all functional areas, demonstrating flexibility and versatility in project management.

· Excellent written and verbal English; Arabic spoken and written word is favorable.

Team Culture and Fit

In our newly established team, we're all about efficiency, effectiveness, and top-notch delivery. Servicing Tahaluf's 3 Event Portfolios, we navigate swiftly through a variety of projects ranging from technology and data to sales and marketing to market analysis and finance. We are open-minded, wear multiple hats, highly organized, and thrive in fast-paced environments. Collaboration is our cornerstone; we seamlessly support each other and drive each other to do better. We’re not all business – we know how to celebrate victories, have a bit of fun and enjoy ourselves while staying focused on our goals. We're a team of high achievers who find joy in both success and the journey itself.

If you're interested in joining a team of like-minded, ambitious individuals, we welcome you to reach out and explore opportunities with us.

Additional Information

Core Benefits:

• Medical Insurance for individual and family

• Annual leave – 25 days or 28 days (for senior managers)

• Manager and above, School fees contribution, 40,000 SAR per child per year, up to a max of three children

• Wellbeing Benefits

• Remote working on Sundays

• Working anywhere – 1 month every year, or for senior managers and above, 2 months every year

Additional Expat Benefits Only*:

• Paid visa costs – individual and family up to a max of three children

• Paid flight to Riyadh (for you and your dependents) 

• 60 days accommodation or suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date. Alternatively, if you already have accommodation in Riyadh and do not require a hotel or serviced apartment, then we provide a one-off payment of SAR 5,000 

• SAR 2,500 towards shipping goods/excess baggage costs on production of receipts/invoices 

• Cost of an Annual trip home - individual only

• On leaving the company - paid flight home for you and end of service gratuity payment (if applicable)

Additional Benefits where the Saudi National is relocating within KSA Only*:

• Paid flight to Riyadh (for you and your dependents) 

• Relocation costs to cover a hotel room – up to 30 days (single / family room), & Excess baggage allowance of up to SAR 1500 

*If eligible