Head of Water – Saudi Arabia | Water Infrastructure & Desalination

Head of Water – Water Infrastructure & Desalination | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Shape the future of water in Saudi Arabia with TRACTEBEL TRACTEBEL is seeking an accomplished Head of Water – Saudi Arabia to lead the growth and development of our Water business in the Kingdom. This is a senior leadership mandate for an established water-sector leader who can combine market insight, client leadership, business development and technical credibility with the ability to lead the successful delivery of complex water infrastructure programmes. The successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening TRACTEBEL's position in the Saudi water sector, developing trusted relationships with key clients and partners, converting strategic opportunities into sustainable business, and building a high-performing local water capability. Why TRACTEBEL? At TRACTEBEL, you don't simply join projects. You help shape the infrastructure of tomorrow. TRACTEBEL brings together deep engineering expertise, multidisciplinary capabilities and international experience to address complex challenges across energy, water and infrastructure. In Saudi Arabia, we combine global expertise with local market understanding and strong collaboration across our regional and international centres of expertise. For the right leader, this is an opportunity not only to lead a Water business, but to influence its next stage of growth in one of the region's most important water markets. The Role As Head of Water – Saudi Arabia, you will: Define and execute the Saudi Water business strategy in alignment with TRACTEBEL's regional priorities, market opportunities and growth objectives. Lead market and business development, building trusted senior relationships with public authorities, utilities, developers, private-sector partners and key stakeholders. Identify, position and convert strategic opportunities across desalination, water and wastewater treatment, water transmission and distribution, pumping stations, reservoirs and treated sewage effluent systems. Lead the strategic positioning of major proposals and tenders, including bid strategy, technical differentiation, scope definition, teaming, commercial interfaces and risk. Support major PPP/IWP and private-sector water opportunities, bringing strong understanding of the Saudi water market and procurement environment. Provide executive and technical oversight of major multidisciplinary water assignments, with focus on quality, resources, schedule, commercial performance and risk. Act as Project Director, Technical Director or executive sponsor on selected strategic assignments where appropriate. Build, lead and develop a high-performing Water team in Saudi Arabia, strengthening local capability while drawing on TRACTEBEL's wider regional and international expertise. Represent TRACTEBEL at senior client and industry level and provide market intelligence that helps shape future growth priorities. What We're Looking For We are looking for a senior water-sector leader with: 18+ years of progressive experience in the water sector, including substantial senior leadership responsibility. Significant professional experience in Saudi Arabia and strong knowledge of the Kingdom's water market. A substantial career background within engineering consultancy, design consultancy or EPCM. A demonstrable track record of winning and delivering significant water-sector opportunities, combining business-development capability with accountable project-delivery leadership. Senior-level expertise across several areas including SWRO/desalination, water treatment, wastewater treatment, TSE, water transmission and distribution, pumping stations and reservoirs. Experience with feasibility studies, master planning, design and/or owner's engineer/engineering consultancy assignments for major water infrastructure programmes. Strong understanding of Saudi client and procurement environments. Experience with PPP/IWP and other private-sector water delivery models is highly desirable. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop talent and engage credibly with senior clients, partners and stakeholders. A business-builder mindset, with the ability to identify where TRACTEBEL can differentiate, mobilise the right expertise and translate client needs into sustainable growth opportunities. Critical Requirements This is a senior leadership appointment. Candidates should bring: ✓ Senior Saudi water-market experience ✓ Engineering consultancy, design consultancy or EPCM background ✓ Major water-infrastructure delivery leadership ✓ Demonstrated business-development and senior client-facing capability ✓ Strong expertise in desalination and/or major water infrastructure systems Substantial senior-level experience within an engineering consultancy, design consultancy or EPCM environment is essential. Education & Languages Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, Water Resources Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline. A Master's degree and/or recognised professional engineering registration or chartership is advantageous. Fluent professional English is required. Arabic is an advantage. Ready to Shape What's Next? If you have built your career at the intersection of water engineering, client leadership, major-project delivery and business growth, and understand how the Saudi water market operates, we would like to hear from you. Join TRACTEBEL and help shape the next chapter of our Water business in Saudi Arabia. Send your CV to: [redacted email] Show more Show less