// About

James Ward

Senior Development Director | Mixed-Use & Hospitality Specialist

Forward-thinking development executive with 14+ years delivering large-scale mixed-use and hospitality projects across the Gulf. From KAFD's retail district to SAR 4B hospitality mega-projects — turning ambitious visions into award-winning built environments.

James Ward
// Expertise

Core Competencies

Feasibility & Investment Analysis
Design Coordination & Value Engineering
Construction Oversight & QA/QC
Handover & Defects Liability
Five-Star Hotels & Resorts
Mixed-Use Destinations
Lifestyle Retail & F&B Districts
Branded Residences
Riyadh & KAFD
Jeddah Waterfront
NEOM & Giga-Projects
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
LEED & Sustainability Standards
FIDIC & NEC Contract Administration
BIM Coordination & Clash Resolution
Operator Technical Requirements
// Impact

Key Achievements

[01]
0K sqm

Total GFA Delivered

Across hospitality, retail, and mixed-use

[02]
SAR 8B+

Project Value

Combined value of projects delivered

[03]
0+

Hotel Keys

Five-star hotel rooms delivered to operators

[04]
PMP

Certifications

LEED AP, CCM, FIDIC certified professional

[05]
LEED

Sustainability

Gold certification achieved on 3 projects

[06]
0+

Career Span

Years across Gulf hospitality & mixed-use

// Experience

Professional Experience

17+ years of progressive leadership across Saudi Arabia's most significant commercial real estate developments.

Jan 2024 – Present

Rua Al Madinah Holding

VP of Development — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Overseeing a SAR 4B mixed-use hospitality district adjacent to the Prophet's Mosque expansion. Managing 3 five-star hotel operators and coordinating 12 consultant firms.

HospitalityGiga-ProjectSAR 4B
Mar 2021 – Dec 2023

ROSHN Group

Senior Development Manager — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Led the retail and F&B district within ROSHN's flagship Sedra community. Delivered 85,000 sqm of leasable area on time and 6% under budget.

Mixed-UseCommunity RetailPIF-Backed
Jun 2018 – Feb 2021

Emaar — The Economic City

Project Director — Hospitality — KAEC, Saudi Arabia

Directed development of a 280-key beachfront resort and marina club within King Abdullah Economic City. Managed a USD 190M construction budget across 4 contractors.

ResortMarinaUSD 190M
Sep 2015 – May 2018

Dar Al Arkan

Development Manager — Mixed-Use — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Managed the mixed-use podium of the Shams Ar Riyadh residential tower project. Coordinated retail design with anchor tenants and delivered 42,000 sqm of commercial space.

Residential TowerRetail Podium42,000 sqm
Aug 2011 – Aug 2015

KEO International Consultants

Senior Project Architect — Dubai, UAE

Design lead on hospitality and mixed-use projects across UAE and Bahrain. Progressed from architect to senior project architect managing teams of 8–12.

Design LeadHospitalityUAE & Bahrain
// Education

Academic Background

[01]
Heriot-Watt University, Dubai

MSc, Construction Project Management

Heriot-Watt University, Dubai

2013 – 2015

[02]
King Fahd University, Saudi Arabia

Bachelor of Architecture

King Fahd University, Saudi Arabia

2006 – 2011

// Certifications

Professional Credentials

PMP — Project Management Professional

PMI2019

LEED AP BD+C

US Green Building Council2018

Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

CMAA2020

Advanced Hospitality Development Program

Cornell University2022

NEC4 Project Manager Accreditation

ICE UK2021

FIDIC Contract Management Certificate

FIDIC Academy2017