Project Director

PROJECT DIRECTOR — Major Event OperationsLocation: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (on-site, with travel to venues)Contract: Freelance / fixed-term, 6 monthsStart date: September 2026 (immediate)Client: ConfidentialABOUT THE ROLEJAM is recruiting an experienced Project Director to lead the full delivery of a major crowd management programme in support of a high-profile international sporting event hosted in Saudi Arabia.The Project Director holds overall accountability for delivery quality, client relationships, financial performance and team leadership. You will be the primary point of contact for the client and will represent JAM at the most senior level throughout the programme lifecycle.WHAT YOU WILL LEADProgramme Governance & Leadership- Hold full executive accountability for on-time, on-budget and on-quality delivery of the entire training programme- Chair and lead the Steering Committee with the client; present progress, risks and financials at senior level- Build, lead and motivate a multi-disciplinary project team of training, technology, operations and logistics specialists- Establish and maintain robust governance structures, reporting cadences and escalation protocolsClient Relationship Management- Serve as the senior relationship owner with the client, building trust, managing expectations and resolving issues at pace- Lead contract execution, kick-off meetings and formal approvals throughout the programme lifecycle- Obtain written client sign-offs at each key gate: programme approvals, system acceptance testing and final completionProject Delivery- Oversee the development and client approval of training programmes and operational activity- Oversee the build, testing and deployment of a custom Learner Management System, including scheduling, attendance tracking, assessment and certification modules- Own the operational deployment of the project delivery team- Approve all logistics requirements for project implementation and deliveryCommercial & Financial Management- Manage the programme budget, tracking spend, approving commitments and reporting against forecasts- Own all change control, scope management and variations in line with contract terms- Lead final invoicing, financial close-out and client acceptance of all deliverablesRisk, Quality & Compliance- Maintain a live risk register; escalate and resolve critical risks within defined timelines- Champion quality assurance across all programme outputs, from curriculum content to certification records- Ensure full legal, insurance and regulatory compliance for delivery operations in KSAWHO WE ARE LOOKING FOREssential experience- Fluent Arabic speaker, currently based in KSA with a valid Iqama through to at least February 2027- Minimum 8-10 years' project or programme management experience, with at least 3 years at Director or senior leadership level- Proven track record delivering large-scale event industry programmes, with experience in sporting, cultural or entertainment event delivery, or large-scale public safety operations- Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder environments including government bodies, event organisers and large operational teams- Strong commercial acumen; experience managing multi-million SAR / USD contracts- Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills at C-suite and client director levelPreferred experience- Background in crowd management, stadium or venue operations, fan safety, security or guest services- Experience operating in the KSA market or broader GCC region- Familiarity with digital learning platforms (LMS) and training management systems- PMP, PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent project management certificationKEY COMPETENCIESStrategic leadership; executive stakeholder management; programme governance; commercial and financial acumen; risk and issue management; quality assurance; team building and motivation; client relationship management; operational delivery at scale; change management; cross-cultural communication; decision-making under pressure.WHY JAMJAM is one of KSA's leading event services companies, delivering exceptional projects across the Kingdom's rapidly growing events and entertainment landscape. This role places you at the centre of one of the most significant opportunities to shape the safety experience for event attendees across the Kingdom.Competitive fixed-term remuneration package. Details shared at interview stage.HOW TO APPLYApply via LinkedIn, or send your CV and a brief covering note (maximum one page) outlining your most relevant experience to linkedin@jameventservices.com with the subject line: Project Director Role.Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged given the September 2026 start date.