Director - Stations

Position status\: This opportunity is for a role that is due to commence in January subject to approval. If you would like to be considered as we progress with this position, please click to apply.

The project:

This is an opportunity to work on one of the largest programmes in Saudi Arabia. This unique project consists of major mixed-use development including sports facilities, entertainment and arts along with all associated infrastructure.

Mace is one of the delivery partners requiring high-calibre and experienced professionals to lead integrated teams throughout each phase of the project.

As the Director of Stations, you will provide the architectural, engineering, and technical leadership required to design and deliver a network of stations for a fully automated, Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) driverless rail transit system. Operating client-side within a fast-paced, developer-led environment, you will hold ultimate accountability for station technical integrity, passenger experience, and complex physical integration.

You will lead stations from initial concept and functional architecture through detailed design, systems coordination, and construction readiness. This high-profile mandate requires managing international design consultants, enforcing rigorous internal technical governance, and negotiating structural, spatial, and MEP interfaces directly with adjacent real estate developers to safeguard the transit network's long-term performance.

You’ll be responsible for:

·         Passenger Flow & Layouts: Own the functional design of all stations. Ensure optimal platform screen door (PSD) integration, vertical transportation capacity, emergency egress compliance, and fluid passenger circulation tailored for high-capacity driverless environments.

·         MEP & Systems Integration: Lead the complex coordination between station architecture, structural engineering, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems—including specialized tunnel ventilation, smoke extraction, and environmental control systems.

• Transit Design: Ensure station facilities seamlessly embed critical transit sub-systems (communications, SCADA, security, signaling rooms) while maintaining design aesthetics and operational flexibility.

·         Design Oversight: Direct, evaluate, and hold accountable Tier 1 international architectural firms, engineering consultants, and Project Management Officers (PMOs). Drive design reviews to maintain quality, schedule, and budgetary boundaries.

·         Internal Governance: Establish and execute technical assurance gateways, safety-by-design protocols, and configuration control management. Ensure station designs pass strict internal stage gates and fully comply with global safety, RAMS, and local civil defense standards.

• Value Engineering: Champion rigorous value engineering workshops to optimize spatial footprints, constructability, and lifecycle maintenance costs without compromising safety or passenger experience.

·         Real Estate Alignment: Serve as the primary technical interface for internal and external development teams. Coordinate station physical footprints, structural loads, and utility connections where stations integrate with or sit adjacent to mixed-use developments.

·         Commercial Boundary Management: Navigate a developer-led environment by protecting the rail asset's operational and structural rights-of-way, managing complex boundary matrices, and aligning station delivery schedules with surrounding master-planned phases.

• Conflict Resolution: Proactively resolve high-stakes design conflicts between developer real estate ambitions and strict rail transit requirements, ensuring a win-win integration that enhances urban connectivity.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline. Professional chartership (e.g., RIBA, AIA, CEng, or equivalent) is highly advantageous.
• Recognised professional membership and Chartered Engineer status, or an equivalent internationally recognised professional registration.
• 20 years’ relevant experience across land transport design, construction and/or operations and maintenance programmes, including at least five years in a senior leadership role within a major-project environment.
• Middle East experience is advantageous.
• Deep technical understanding of modern transit station design, including functional space planning, MEP systems coordination, platform screen screen integration, and specialized life-safety systems. Experience with automated/driverless (GoA4) lines is highly valued.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering stations embedded within complex, multi-stakeholder real estate master plans, giga-projects, or air-rights developments.
• Exceptional capability in directing, evaluating, and challenging Tier 1 international engineering and architectural consultants.
• Experience managing construction, materials selection, and regulatory approvals (such as Civil Defense) within the unique environmental and regulatory context of Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC region is preferred.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse, and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of well-being in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables and strategic outcomes and build long-term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfill all the criteria, please apply, as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.