Director of Cost – KSA Major Buildings

  • Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

  • Reference: DOC/KSA/26

  • Company: Cost Consultancy, T.B.A – Confidential Search

The Role of the Director of Cost

Our client is a premier international cost consultancy seeking a strategic Director of Cost to spearhead and grow their specialist major buildings and sports assets division in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This is a high-profile, front-end leadership position. We are looking for a true business developer and pre-construction heavyweight who can walk into client meetings, win work, and take full Profit & Loss (P&L) ownership of the division. You will drive the commercial expansion across the buildings sector (including sports, commercial, or mixed-use assets), lead the creation of robust pre-contract documentation, and oversee the strategic direction of major developments across the Kingdom.

Remuneration & Package

  • Monthly Salary / Package: Circa 80,000 to 85,000 SAR per month total package. This figure can be slightly negotiable for the right person

  • Additional Benefits: Comprehensive medical cover, holiday allowance, and full visa sponsorship/costs covered.

Key Responsibilities for the Director of Cost

  • Business Development & P&L Leadership: Drive front-end growth, secure new clients, win major commissions, and assume full operational and financial accountability for the division.

  • Pre-Construction Dominance: Lead the preparation of robust pre-contract paperwork, cost plans, feasibility studies, estimating, and commercial bidding strategies.

  • Technical & Strategic Direction: Act as the senior technical authority, guiding clients and internal teams through the earliest phases of major building projects.

  • Team & Division Scaling: Mentor and manage an existing team while actively scaling the division’s capabilities.

  • Client Engagement: Serve as the primary, high-level commercial face for key stakeholders, developers, and project delivery partners.

Candidate Requirements for the Head of Cost Consultancy Vacancy

  • Experience: Circa 20+ years of post-degree professional experience within a recognized cost consultancy environment. (Main contracting backgrounds will not be considered). Ideally you will have some experience overseas. Previous experience in KSA is not a requirement for this role.

  • Core Strength: A heavy front-end focus—exceptional business development capability, commercial acumen, and expert pre-construction delivery. (Deep post-contract delivery is secondary to your ability to win work and set up projects).

  • Sector Background: Broad major buildings sector experience is welcome; specific sports or stadium experience is not strictly mandatory if you possess top-tier cost consultancy leadership and front-end BD pedigree.

  • Qualifications: Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management. (Engineering degrees are not accepted for this role).

  • Professional Accreditation: MRICS certification is MANDATORY.

  • Location: Must be based in or willing to relocate to Riyadh, KSA.

How to Apply for the Vacancy

If you are a seasoned senior commercial leader with a proven flair for business development and pre-construction strategy, please send your CV in strict confidence to victoria@staffordlawrence.com, quoting reference DOC/KSA/26.

(Note: Anyone who applies without reading a single word of the spec and does not meet the basic requirement of MRICS and cost consultancy background will be sent an amusing but sarcastic response.)