Project Director – Industrial, Logistics & Biotech Infrastructure

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Salary: Highly Competitive – typically USD 115,795 – USD 217,116 per year (depending on seniority & experience)
Languages: Chinese & English (Fluent); Arabic preferred
Sector: Biotechnology · Industrial Construction · Large‑Scale Infrastructure
Employment Type: Full-time, On-site

Employer Overview

A major public-sector organisation within the biotechnology and advanced research sector is undergoing a significant global expansion. Headquartered in Asia, the employer is recognised for:

• World-leading R&D capabilities
• Strategic investment in global biotech and industrial infrastructure
• Large-scale project delivery across international markets
• A strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technology localisation

The company is rapidly developing its footprint across the Middle East, with major industrial, logistics, and biotech facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This expansion requires seasoned leadership capable of driving complex project delivery in fast-growing, high-impact environments.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior construction professional to shape the regional execution of cutting-edge biotech and industrial infrastructure projects.

Position Overview: Project Director

The Project Director will serve as the senior-most leader overseeing project management, construction execution, technology localisation, and multidisciplinary coordination across major Middle East projects. This is a high-visibility leadership position responsible for the successful delivery of strategic industrial and logistics developments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Project Leadership

• Lead all construction and project management activities across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Represent the client-side (Party A) in major offshore and local contractor engagements.
• Oversee project lifecycle management from design through execution and commissioning.

2. Contracting Strategy & Multi-Prime Management

• Manage complex projects delivered through multiple prime contracts or parallel contracting models.
• Provide senior-level interface management between contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.

3. Compliance, Governance & Market Awareness

• Maintain expert understanding of regional construction laws, policies, and approval regulations.
• Ensure compliance across all project phases while proactively identifying and mitigating territory-specific risks.

4. Technical & Design Coordination

• Interpret and adapt technical standards such as Saudi Building Code (SBC) and the UAE Fire & Life Safety Code.
• Lead harmonisation between domestic engineering outputs and local engineering requirements.

5. Localisation of Advanced Technologies

• Translate domestic R&D and technical innovations into feasible Middle East applications.
• Optimise and localise engineering solutions to ensure cost efficiency, constructability, and regulatory compliance.

6. Cross-Cultural and Multi-National Leadership

• Serve as the communication bridge between domestic technical teams and Middle East project teams.
• Build cohesive relationships across design, supervision, supply chain, and subcontractor networks.

7. Procurement & Supply Chain Alignment

• Conduct local market analysis for materials and equipment.
• Work with procurement teams to define supply chain strategies, supplier selection, and contract technical terms.

8. On-site Oversight & Technical Assurance

• Deliver technical briefings to construction teams and validate site-level execution.
• Ensure all work meets quality, safety, budget, and schedule expectations.

9. Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and resolve design, technical, or progress-related challenges.
• Collect feedback and data to support ongoing optimisation of processes and technical solutions.

Candidate Requirements

Education

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related field.

Experience

• 8–12+ years of senior project or construction management experience in the Middle East.
• Proven leadership in industrial plants, logistics real estate, or infrastructure megaprojects.
• Client-side (Party A) experience is highly advantageous.
• Strong exposure to multi-prime contracting, parallel contracting, and interface-heavy environments.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of regional regulatory requirements and authority approval pathways.
• Sound knowledge of construction costs, procurement strategies, and major project challenges.
• Experience with project management systems such as Aconex, Procore, Primavera, BIM.

Languages & Cultural Fit

• Fluency in Chinese & English required; Arabic proficiency strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage diverse, multinational teams and operate in a high-paced environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management
• Outstanding communication and coordination skills
• Strong commercial awareness and cost management capability
• Strategic problem solver with hands-on execution ability
• High adaptability in multicultural and evolving project environments

Role Structure & Hiring Process

• Based full-time on-site at the project headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Direct reporting to the departmental director
• Two-stage international interview process
• Immediate or near-immediate joining preferred

Why This Role Is Attractive

• Shape the delivery of major biotech and industrial infrastructure in a rapidly growing region
• Senior strategic leadership role with global exposure
• Tax-efficient salary structures in Saudi Arabia
• Opportunity to drive technology localisation in a groundbreaking sector
• Work within a high-growth, innovation-centric organisation with long-term security