Executive Director - ICT Operations (Technology Lead) Sports BU SPA2

This foundational executive role is responsible for defining, governing, and delivering end-to-end sports technology strategy across all Sports Business Unit assets, from early planning and concept design through construction, commissioning, and structured transition into operations under the Asset Management organisation. The role does not assume responsibility for day-to-day asset operations once venues are handed over to Asset Management; instead, it ensures sports venues are designed, delivered, and documented with full lifecycle integrity and that technology intent, architectural decisions, and integration logic are transferred, supported, and retained as organisational knowledge. It establishes the Sports Business Unit as custodian of technology design intent and institutional memory, enabling Asset Management and operators to run assets efficiently, evolve them safely, and avoid long-term technical debt.

• Define, together with Qiddiya Tech and Asset Management, the SBU Technology Strategy aligned with the Sports BU Target Operating Model and the Qiddiya Technology Mandate & Operating Model (QTMOM).
• Represent SBU at executive level within the Qiddiya-wide Technology Board (as per QTMOM) and related governance forums.
• Establish clear decision rights, standards, and lifecycle ownership for technologies across all assets.
• Act as executive technology authority across Stage Gates for all sports assets, including stadiums, arenas, academies, training centres, and public sport facilities.
• Ensure technology requirements are embedded early in master planning, concept design, and detailed design, avoiding retrofits and value leakage.
• Oversee complex technology scopes including digital infrastructure, smart venues, broadcast, fan experience, performance tech, data platforms, and cyber security.
• Lead technology delivery for multi-asset sports ecosystems, not standalone venues, including integrated sports districts, mixed-use developments, and city-scale environments.
• Ensure seamless integration with mobility, smart city platforms, digital identity, payments, and city operations.
• Co-create and lead an industry-leading Sports Technology Partnership Program in close collaboration with Qiddiya Strategy and Commercial teams.
• Structure long-term partnerships with OEMs, integrators, telcos, cloud, media, data, and performance tech providers, generating hundreds of millions to potentially billions SAR in direct revenues (sponsorships, naming rights, data and media monetisation), capex savings, and opex efficiencies.

• 15+ years of senior technology leadership, including executive ownership of technology for major sports venues and sports organisations.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale, complex sports and entertainment assets from design through live operations, such as stadiums, arenas, and mixed-use districts.
• Demonstrated success integrating technology across sports districts or metropolitan-scale developments, for example stadium plus entertainment, commercial, and public realm.
• Former or current CTO, EVP, or Executive Technology Leader for Tier-1 stadiums or sports franchises and major sports entertainment districts.
• Deep hands-on leadership across venue technology architecture and delivery; broadcast and live production ecosystems; digital fan platforms and data monetisation; wireless and fibre mega-infrastructure; and cybersecurity and mission-critical operations.
• Exceptional ability to operate at the intersection of technology, design, and executive governance.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent.

• Executive leadership credentials strongly preferred.