RDI Program Consulting Manager

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the activation of a national Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) program in Saudi Arabia. This is a high-visibility, strategic engagement that translates a national RDI strategy into an operational, funded, and governed program — covering program design, stakeholder mobilization, governance setup, funding mechanisms, and execution tracking.

The successful candidate will act as the primary day-to-day driver of the engagement, coordinating between the Client, consulting team leads, subject‑matter experts, and external stakeholders (industry players, academia, research institutions, and funding bodies) to ensure the program launches successfully and meets its milestones.

• Lead end-to-end project management of the RDI program activation, including scoping, planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, resource allocations, and risk/issue logs across all work streams
• Serve as the primary liaison with Client stakeholders, ensuring alignment on objectives, priorities, and deliverables
• Coordinate cross‑functional work streams spanning the RDI value chain — from research and technology development through to commercialization and scale‑up
• Facilitate workshops, steering committee meetings, and governance forums with Client leadership and industry stakeholders
• Manage relationships with third parties, including research institutions, industrial players, mining companies, and potential funding partners
• Track program KPIs and ensure milestones tied to RDI activation (e.g., governance structure sign‑off, funding vehicle launch, pilot project selection) are met on time
• Manage project budget, resourcing, and vendor/subcontractor coordination where applicable
• Identify risks and dependencies early, and drive mitigation actions with the engagement leadership
• Prepare high‑quality status reports, steering committee materials, and executive presentations in both English and Arabic
• Ensure quality control and consistency of deliverables produced by subject‑matter expert teams
• Support change management and communication efforts to drive adoption of the RDI program across the Client's departments and sector stakeholders

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field
• Scientific/academic degree (e.g., in a STEM discipline) strongly preferred;
  Master's or PhD is a plus
• Innovation or RDI‑related certifications (e.g., Innovation Management, RDI/R&D management, Design Thinking, Technology & Innovation Management) preferred
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification preferred
• 8–12+ years of experience in project/program management, ideally within consulting, government advisory, or large‑scale transformation programs
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience across the RDI value chain, with particular depth in the research and development (R&D) phases (e.g., research prioritization, technology development, TRL progression, IP management, tech transfer, or commercialization)
• Proven track record of having worked on innovation‑focused projects/programs previously (national innovation programs, R&D funding schemes, innovation ecosystems, incubation/acceleration programs, or similar)
• Solid understanding of the Industry & Mining sector's strategic direction in Saudi Arabia (e.g., National Industrial Strategy, Vision 2030‑aligned sector priorities); prior experience working within or advising the Industry and/or Mining sector is preferred
• Must currently be based in Saudi Arabia
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior government officials and executives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities, and fast‑changing scopes typical of national program activations