Project Manager Resume Example for Jobs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Riyadh Project Management Market Overview

Riyadh's project management sector is experiencing transformational growth driven by Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives. As the kingdom's capital and largest city, Riyadh hosts some of the world's most ambitious mega-projects including the Riyadh Metro (SAR 90 billion), King Salman Park (SAR 86 billion), and the New Murabba development featuring The Mukaab—a cube-shaped super-structure that will be among the world's largest buildings.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has allocated over SAR 1.3 trillion for projects centered in and around Riyadh through 2030, creating unprecedented demand for experienced project managers. Key sectors include infrastructure, real estate, technology, entertainment (Qiddiya giga-project), and energy diversification. The government's Saudization initiative mandates increasing local employment, but specialized project management roles remain open to international talent, particularly for mega-projects requiring global expertise.

Project managers with PMP certification, experience in large-scale construction (SAR 500M+), and familiarity with Saudi contracting frameworks (FIDIC adaptations) are in highest demand. The market increasingly values sustainability expertise as Saudi Arabia pursues LEED and Estidama certifications for major developments. Digital construction technologies (BIM, digital twins, AI-powered project controls) are rapidly becoming standard across tier-1 projects in Riyadh.

Top Employers Hiring Project Managers in Riyadh

Riyadh's employment landscape features government entities, PIF-backed giga-projects, national champions, and international consultancies:

• Saudi Aramco: The world's largest oil company is diversifying beyond petroleum with massive downstream projects, technology initiatives, and infrastructure developments. Aramco seeks project managers with oil and gas, petrochemical, or heavy industrial experience, offering premium compensation and comprehensive benefits.
• NEOM: Though headquartered in northwest Saudi Arabia, NEOM maintains significant Riyadh operations for corporate functions and procurement. This SAR 1.5 trillion giga-project seeks project managers for The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena developments—visionary urban projects requiring innovative thinking and mega-project experience.
• STC (Saudi Telecom Company): The kingdom's largest telecom operator is rolling out 5G infrastructure, fiber networks, and smart city solutions across Riyadh. STC recruits project managers with telecommunications, IT infrastructure, or digital transformation backgrounds.
• Diriyah Gate Development Authority: Developing UNESCO World Heritage site Diriyah into a global cultural destination, this authority manages SAR 75 billion in construction projects including luxury hotels, museums, and heritage restoration—seeking project managers with hospitality and cultural project experience.
• Royal Commission for Riyadh City: This government entity oversees Riyadh's urban development including the metro system, parks, and public infrastructure. They recruit project managers familiar with large-scale urban planning, transportation, and municipal infrastructure.

Additional major employers include Saudi Binladin Group, El Seif Engineering Contracting, Nesma & Partners, ROSHN (PIF's residential developer), Qiddiya Investment Company, and international consultancies like AECOM, Parsons, and Dar Al-Handasah. The Entertainment, Sports & Culture sectors under Vision 2030 are emerging as significant project management employers.

Riyadh-Specific Resume Tips for Project Managers

Tailoring your resume for Riyadh's unique business culture and regulatory environment is essential:

Format and Documentation: Saudi employers expect comprehensive 2-3 page resumes including professional photo, nationality, current location, visa status (valid iqama, visit visa, or requiring sponsorship), and notice period. Include your passport number on your CV—this is standard practice in KSA. Ensure your document is titled with your full name exactly as it appears on your passport (critical for iqama processing).

Highlight GCC and MENA Experience: Saudi employers strongly prefer candidates with prior GCC experience, particularly within Saudi Arabia. If you've worked in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or other Saudi cities, feature this prominently. Understanding Saudi cultural norms, government processes (municipality approvals, Civil Defense NOCs), and regional business practices significantly increases hiring probability. Mention Saudization experience if you've successfully worked in environments with nationalization requirements.

Emphasize Mega-Project Scale: Riyadh's market focuses on large-scale projects. Highlight experience with projects valued above SAR 200M, complex stakeholder environments, and multi-phase developments. Detail your largest project by budget, scope, and team size. Mention specific mega-project experience (airports, metro systems, mixed-use developments, industrial facilities) as Riyadh's projects often exceed international norms in scale and complexity.

Certifications and Attestation: List PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certifications prominently. All educational certificates must be attested by your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi embassy, then by Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon arrival. Begin attestation before job searching as it takes 6-10 weeks. Some employers require Saudi Council of Engineers registration—mention if you hold this or similar professional registrations.

Technical Proficiencies: Explicitly list Primavera P6 (industry standard in Saudi), MS Project, and BIM software (Revit, Navisworks, BIM 360). Mention experience with Saudi-specific systems like Balady (municipality portal), Qiwa (labor platform), or Muqeem (residency system) if applicable. Highlight sustainability tools and LEED/Estidama knowledge as Saudi projects increasingly pursue green certifications.

Language Capabilities: Arabic language skills provide significant competitive advantage. Even basic conversational Arabic demonstrates cultural commitment and facilitates stakeholder engagement. If you speak Arabic, position this prominently. English fluency is expected, but additional languages (Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog, French) are valuable in multicultural project environments.

Cultural Alignment: Demonstrate understanding of Saudi work culture. Mention experience navigating Ramadan work schedules, weekend shifts (Friday-Saturday in Saudi vs. Saturday-Sunday elsewhere), prayer time accommodations, and gender-segregated work environments where applicable. This shows cultural awareness valued by Saudi employers.

Salary Expectations and Negotiation for Riyadh

Understanding Riyadh's compensation structures helps you negotiate effectively in this unique market:

Mid-Level Project Managers (5-10 years): Expect base salaries of SAR 180,000-280,000 annually (approximately USD 48,000-75,000). Packages typically include housing allowance (SAR 50,000-80,000 annually or company-provided accommodation), transportation allowance (SAR 2,000-4,000 monthly or company vehicle), annual flights home for employee and family, and end-of-service gratuity (half month salary per year for first 5 years). Total compensation often reaches SAR 300,000-350,000.

Senior Project Managers (10-15 years): Command SAR 300,000-480,000 base salaries with total packages exceeding SAR 600,000. Premium employers (Aramco, NEOM, major consultancies) offer additional benefits including children's education allowances (SAR 40,000-80,000 per child), private health insurance, and performance bonuses (10-20% of base salary).

Sector Variations: Oil and gas projects (Aramco, petrochemical sector) offer 20-30% premiums over construction. Giga-projects (NEOM, Qiddiya, ROSHN) provide competitive packages with accelerated career progression. Government entities offer stability but typically 10-15% lower cash compensation, offset by superior job security and benefits.

Tax Considerations: Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, making net take-home significantly higher than equivalent gross salaries in Western markets. However, Saudi introduced 15% VAT and expatriates pay monthly fees for dependent visas (SAR 400 per dependent monthly). Factor these into your budget planning.

Negotiation Strategy: Saudi salary packages are often negotiable, especially for specialized skills. Focus on total package value rather than base salary alone. Key negotiation points include housing allowance amount (Riyadh rental costs are high—SAR 60,000-120,000 annually for family accommodation), education allowance coverage level (premium schools cost SAR 50,000-90,000 per child), annual leave days (standard 30-45 days), and exit re-entry visa provisions for travel flexibility.

Hidden Costs: Budget for visa fees (employer typically covers worker visa but may not cover dependent visas—SAR 2,000 per dependent initially plus SAR 400 monthly fees), medical insurance top-ups if employer coverage is basic, and vehicle purchase or lease if no company car provided. School admission fees (separate from tuition) can reach SAR 15,000-25,000 per child. Entertainment and dining costs in Riyadh are moderate compared to Dubai but higher than most markets.

End-of-Service Gratuity: Saudi labor law mandates end-of-service benefits—half month salary per year for first 5 years, one month per year thereafter. This becomes substantial for long tenures (5-year contract = 2.5 months salary gratuity). Ensure your contract clearly states gratuity calculation basis and whether it's paid on contract completion or only on final exit from Saudi Arabia.

Iqama Sponsorship and Work Permits

Understanding Saudi Arabia's iqama (residency permit) system is crucial for international project managers:

Iqama Overview: The iqama is your residency permit and work authorization combined. Your employer sponsors your iqama—you cannot work in Saudi Arabia without employer sponsorship (unlike UAE's recent freelance visa options). The iqama is typically issued for 1-2 years and must be renewed annually or biennially. Your profession will be listed on the iqama; changing employers in a different profession requires Ministry of Human Resources approval.

Application Process: After receiving your offer letter and signing contract, your employer initiates iqama processing through the Qiwa platform. You'll need: passport valid 6+ months, passport-sized photos with white background, educational certificates attested (degree certificates from your university → your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs → Saudi embassy in your country → Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs), police clearance from your home country and countries of residence, and medical examination certificates.

Processing Timeline: Iqama processing takes 4-8 weeks after arrival in Saudi Arabia. You'll first receive employment approval, then entry visa (valid 90 days for arrival), undergo medical tests in Saudi Arabia (blood tests, chest X-ray, general health check—cost approximately SAR 500-800), fingerprinting, and finally iqama issuance. Some employers arrange advance medical testing in your home country to expedite the process.

Medical Fitness Testing: All iqama applicants undergo mandatory screening for infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis). Testing occurs at approved medical centers within Saudi Arabia. The process takes 2-3 days for results. In rare cases, pre-existing conditions may prevent iqama approval—consult your employer's government relations officer if you have concerns.

Profession Classification: Your iqama lists your profession code (e.g., Project Manager, Civil Engineer). This classification affects job mobility—transferring to a new employer in a different profession requires Ministry approval and can be complex. Ensure your iqama profession accurately reflects your role and allows lateral career moves. Some companies list broader classifications (e.g., 'Engineer' vs. 'Structural Engineer') to provide flexibility.

Family Sponsorship: Project managers earning minimum SAR 4,000 monthly (though most employers require SAR 10,000-12,000 minimum for family sponsorship approval) can sponsor spouses and children. You need marriage certificate and children's birth certificates (attested), proof of accommodation (lease agreement for minimum 2-bedroom apartment), and salary transfer letter. Family iqamas cost approximately SAR 2,000 per person initially, plus SAR 400 per person monthly dependent fees. Processing takes 3-6 weeks after your iqama is issued.

Exit/Re-Entry Visas: Iqama holders need exit/re-entry visas for international travel (unlike UAE's open travel policy). Single exit/re-entry visas are valid for 2-6 months; multiple exit/re-entry visas valid up to 1 year are available. Your employer controls visa issuance through the Absher platform—negotiate automatic multiple-exit visa provision in your contract for travel flexibility. Some employers restrict travel during probation periods (typically first 90 days).

Iqama Transfer (Job Mobility): Saudi Arabia allows iqama transfer between employers under specific conditions. If your contract expires, you can transfer freely. Mid-contract transfers require current employer approval (often granted with 3-month notice and negotiated settlement). If your employer refuses transfer, you may need to exit Saudi Arabia for 90 days before returning with a new sponsor. Recent reforms have eased transfer restrictions for certain professions—consult with Saudi labor law experts.

Professional Summary Example

Craft a compelling summary emphasizing mega-project experience:

Key Skills Section

Emphasize mega-project and Saudi-specific competencies:

• Project Management: PMP, PRINCE2, Agile Certified (mega-projects SAR 500M-2B)
• Technical Tools: Primavera P6, MS Project, Oracle Aconex, BIM 360, Navisworks
• Saudi Compliance: Balady portal, Saudi Building Code, Civil Defense regulations, MOMRA approvals
• Contract Frameworks: FIDIC (Red/Yellow/Silver Books), Saudi government contracts, JV agreements
• Budget Management: Cost control and value engineering for projects up to SAR 1.5B
• Team Leadership: Managed multicultural teams (Arab, South Asian, Western expat mix) up to 400 personnel
• Stakeholder Management: Government entities, PIF, Royal Courts, international consultants, contractors
• Saudization: Developed local talent programs achieving 35% Saudi workforce on major projects

Professional Experience Bullets

Quantify achievements with Saudi-relevant metrics:

• Delivered SAR 850M mixed-use development in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District comprising 2 towers (45 and 38 floors), achieving practical completion 8 weeks ahead of schedule despite pandemic disruptions, managing 280+ site personnel and 25 consultants
• Managed SAR 520M government infrastructure project including roads, utilities, and public facilities, maintaining zero safety incidents across 2.8M man-hours while exceeding Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs quality standards
• Led SAR 680M industrial facility construction for petrochemical sector, implementing advanced BIM coordination that reduced design conflicts by 42% and accelerated Saudi Aramco approval cycles from 8 weeks to 4.5 weeks average
• Directed procurement for SAR 380M transportation hub project, negotiating contracts achieving 14% cost savings through strategic local vendor partnerships aligned with Saudi Content requirements (minimum 35% local procurement value)
• Spearheaded Saudization initiative across SAR 1.2B portfolio, developing training programs and career pathways that increased Saudi national employment from 22% to 38% within 18 months, exceeding Nitaqat green category requirements
• Implemented Primavera P6 and AI-powered progress monitoring for SAR 750M hospitality project (2 hotels, 850 keys total), improving schedule accuracy by 35% and enabling proactive risk mitigation that prevented projected 6-month delays

Education and Certifications

Format credentials for Saudi market with attestation status: