Construction Director - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Construction Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to lead the development of our expanding gold refining and exploration infrastructure. This role oversees the execution of capital projects, ensuring they meet strict technical, safety, and regulatory standards aligned with Vision 2030. The Director will manage EPC contractors and internal teams to deliver facilities that support our downstream refining and upstream exploration operations.

The Construction Director will report directly to the CEO and will play a key role in scaling SGR's physical asset base to support increased production capacity. This position requires a leader who can balance technical rigor with commercial acumen to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

The Construction Director will be responsible for the following key areas of project delivery and site management.

- Project Execution Oversight: The role directs all phases of construction from site preparation to final handover, ensuring alignment with engineering designs and operational requirements.

- Contractor Management: This position manages the performance of EPC and civil contractors, enforcing contractual obligations regarding quality, safety, and schedule adherence.

- Budget and Cost Control: The Director monitors project expenditures against the approved budget, approving payment certificates and managing change orders to prevent cost overruns.

- Regulatory Compliance: The role ensures all construction activities comply with Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources regulations, SASO standards, and municipal building codes.

- HSE Leadership: This position enforces strict health, safety, and environmental protocols on site, including permit-to-work systems and hazardous material handling procedures.

- Quality Assurance: The Director implements quality control plans to verify that materials and workmanship meet international standards and project specifications.

- Stakeholder Coordination: The role liaises with internal operations, engineering, and procurement teams to ensure seamless integration of new facilities into existing workflows.

- Technical Review: This position reviews engineering drawings, technical submittals, and method statements to identify and resolve design conflicts before construction begins.

- Workforce Development: The Director supports Saudization goals by mentoring Saudi engineers and coordinating with TVTC to build local construction capabilities.

- Risk Management: The role identifies potential project risks related to schedule, cost, or safety and implements mitigation strategies to minimize impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management is required for this role.
• Candidates must have at least 15 years of construction experience, with 5 years in industrial or mining projects.
• Proven experience managing capital projects exceeding SAR 100 million in value is mandatory.
• In-depth knowledge of Saudi construction regulations, SASO standards, and permitting processes is essential.
• Strong expertise in EPC contract management, including claims avoidance and dispute resolution, is required.
• Demonstrated commitment to HSE standards and a track record of zero lost-time injuries on previous projects.
• Excellent command of English is required for technical communication, with Arabic proficiency highly preferred.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex stakeholder expectations in a fast-growing organization.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering or management field is preferred.
• PMP or CCM certification demonstrates professional competence in project or construction management.
• Prior experience in the precious metals, mining, or chemical processing industries is advantageous.
• Familiarity with international standards such as ASTM, ISO, or British Standards is a plus.
• Experience with digital construction tools and project monitoring software is desirable.

Success Metrics

• Projects are delivered within 5 percent of the approved budget and on the scheduled completion date.
• Zero lost-time injuries (LTI) and zero major environmental incidents occur on construction sites.
• Change orders are kept below 5 percent of the total contract value through effective scope management.
• All regulatory permits and completion certificates are obtained without significant delays or penalties.
• Contractor performance ratings average above 90 percent on quality and safety audits.
• Saudi national participation in the construction workforce increases by 10 percent year-over-year.
• Project documentation and handover packages are completed and archived within 30 days of completion.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.