Executive Director - ICT Operations (Technology Lead)

The Executive Director Technology Lead is a foundational executive role 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 organization.

In line with the current SBU TOM, the role does not assume responsibility for day-to-day asset operations once venues are handed over to the Asset Management team. Instead, it ensures that sports venues are designed, delivered, and documented with full lifecycle integrity, and that the technology intent, architectural decisions, and integration logic are effectively transferred, supported, and retained as organizational knowledge.

The role establishes SBU as the 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. This continuity reflects global best practice, recognizing that technology-led assets require ongoing involvement of the original design authority to support optimization, upgrades, servicing strategies, and future-proofing without blurring operational accountability.

Through this approach, the role ensures Qiddiya s sports assets remain globally competitive, future-ready, and fully integrated with the wider Qiddiya city technology ecosystem across their entire lifecycle.

1. Sports Technology Strategy & Governance

• 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.

2. Planning, Design & Delivery Leadership

• Act as executive technology authority across Stage Gates for all sports assets (stadiums, arenas, academies, training centers, 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.

3. Complex Sports Asset Enablement

• 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.

4. Industry-Leading Technology Partnerships & Commercial Value

• Co-create and lead an industry-leading Sports Technology Partnership Program in close collaboration with Qiddiya Strategy and Commercial teams.

• Structure long-term partnerships (OEMs, integrators, telcos, cloud, media, data, performance tech) generating hundreds of millions to potentially billions SAR in:

• Direct revenues (sponsorships, naming rights, data & media monetization)

• Capex savings

• Opex efficiencies

• 15+ years of senior technology leadership, including executive ownership of technology for major sports venues and sports organizations.

• Proven experience delivering large-scale, complex sports and entertainment assets from design through live operations (stadiums, arenas, mixed-use districts).

• Demonstrated success integrating technology across sports districts or metropolitan-scale developments (e.g., stadium + entertainment + commercial + public realm).

Required Executive Capabilities

• Former or current CTO / EVP / Executive Technology Leader for:

• Tier-1 stadiums or sports franchises

• Major sports entertainment districts

• Deep hands-on leadership across:

• Venue technology architecture & delivery

• Broadcast & live production ecosystems

• Digital fan platforms & data monetization

• Wireless & fiber mega-infrastructure

• Cybersecurity & mission-critical operations

• Exceptional ability to operate at the intersection of technology, design, and executive governance.

Education

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Executive leadership credentials strongly preferred.