Director - Landscape & Parks

We are seeking an experienced Director - Landscape & Parks to lead the strategic development, delivery, and management of landscape and parks assets for a major destination development in Saudi Arabia.Lead the strategic management, governance and optimisation of landscape, parks and public realm assets across a large-scale destination development. The role will oversee the full asset lifecycle, from development planning, design assurance and delivery through commissioning, handover, operational readiness and long-term asset management.The Director will ensure that parks, green spaces, landscape infrastructure and associated public realm assets are fit for purpose, sustainable, accessible, maintainable and aligned with operational requirements, visitor experience and long-term asset performance.RequirementsKey Responsibilities1. Landscape & Parks Asset ManagementEstablish and implement the strategic framework for managing landscape, parks and public realm assets throughout their lifecycleOversee asset registers, condition assessments, asset performance monitoring and lifecycle management plansEnsure assets meet operational, functional, safety, accessibility and sustainability requirementsDevelop asset optimisation strategies to improve utilisation, performance, reliability and long-term value2. Asset Acceptance & Handover GovernanceEstablish asset acceptance criteria, technical standards and handover requirements for landscape and parks infrastructureReview proposed asset transfers to ensure completeness of documentation, compliance, maintainability and operational readinessAssess outstanding defects, maintenance liabilities, warranties, lifecycle costs and associated risks before asset acceptanceCoordinate with development, design, construction, commercial and operations teams to resolve asset-related issues before handover3. Parks & Landscape OperationsOversee the operational management and maintenance of parks, gardens, green corridors, streetscapes, recreational spaces and public realm assetsEstablish maintenance strategies, service standards, SLAs and operational KPIsMonitor contractor performance, maintenance quality, asset condition and service deliveryDrive continuous improvement in operational efficiency, maintenance planning and asset reliability4. Landscape Development & Technical AssuranceProvide strategic oversight of landscape planning, design development and technical reviews to ensure alignment with long-term operational and maintenance requirementsReview landscape proposals, planting strategies, irrigation systems, hardscape, softscape and associated infrastructureEnsure design solutions consider lifecycle costs, climate resilience, water efficiency, accessibility and maintainabilityProvide recommendations on design optimisation, value engineering and asset suitability5. Sustainability & Resource OptimisationDrive sustainable landscape and parks management, including water conservation, efficient irrigation, native planting and biodiversity enhancementEstablish strategies for reducing operational expenditure and optimising resource utilisationPromote climate-resilient landscape solutions suitable for the Saudi Arabian environment6. Financial & Commercial ManagementOversee CAPEX and OPEX planning, asset lifecycle costs and maintenance budgetsEvaluate financial implications of asset acceptance, maintenance liabilities and long-term operational commitmentsEstablish cost-control mechanisms and performance reporting frameworks7. Leadership & Stakeholder ManagementLead multidisciplinary teams responsible for landscape asset management, parks operations and public realm performanceEstablish governance frameworks and coordinate with development, engineering, construction, facilities management and other stakeholdersOversee consultants, contractors and service providers, ensuring accountability and compliance with contractual obligationsCandidate RequirementsBachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Agriculture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Asset Management or a related discipline20+ years of relevant professional experience, including substantial senior leadership exposureDemonstrated experience in landscape and parks asset management, public realm governance, municipal parks management or large-scale destination developmentsProven track record in asset lifecycle management, asset acceptance, handover governance and operational readinessStrong understanding of landscape infrastructure, horticulture, irrigation systems, parks maintenance and public realm operationsExperience developing asset management strategies, condition assessments, maintenance frameworks, lifecycle plans and operational KPIsStrong commercial and financial understanding, including CAPEX/OPEX management and lifecycle cost optimisationExperience managing consultants, contractors, service providers and multidisciplinary stakeholdersExposure to giga-projects, master-planned developments, urban developments or large-scale destination assets, preferably in Saudi Arabia or the GCC