Attractions Subject Matter Expert (SME)

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Job Description

Parsons are seeking a highly qualified Attractions Subject Matter Expert to support the planning, design, and delivery of world-class attractions for a luxury mountain destination in Saudi Arabia, The role will be part of the Program Management Consultant (PMC). Location flexible / hybrid with time required to support the program in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh / Abha) & UAE.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Oversight
• Provide subject matter expertise across a wide portfolio of indoor and outdoor attractions, including but not limited to the Alpine Slide, Mountain Coaster, Aerial Adventure Course, Skeet Shooting Range, Mega Zipline, Mountain Swing, Wellness Centers, and Virtual Reality Experience.
• Guide executive leadership in the attraction strategy and ensure alignment with the project’s experience objectives.
• Actively support and provide leadership throughout the vendor vetting and selection process, including working closely with Procurement Department and Project team to champion packaging strategies, scope development, PQQs, RFP’s and evaluation criteria.
• Confirm delivery approach for the Works, that may include Design, Build, Operations; clarify and scope this operational transition to selected operators.
• Design Management
• Act as the technical and operational SME for all attraction types through the full design cycle.
• Collaborate with design consultants and PMC disciplines to ensure alignment of attractions with guest experience, safety, and sustainability goals.
• Review and provide feedback on design documents, ensuring that requirements are met for buildability, cost efficiency, and operational readiness.
• Integration & Delivery Support
• Liaise with vendors, engineers, consultants, and PMC teams to ensure seamless integration of attractions into the project phasing and infrastructure plans.
• Coordinate with enabling works, utilities, and access teams to avoid program conflicts.
• Represent the attractions scope during technical workshops, stakeholder engagements, and progress reviews.
• Pre-Operations & Handover Preparation
• Partner closely with attraction vendors to consolidate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and emergency response plans into cohesive operational documentation.
• Develop training guidelines, guest experience manuals, and facility management readiness plans in coordination with attraction operators.
• Contribute to commissioning and testing protocols, ensuring safe and successful handover to eventual operators.
  
  
  

Required Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, attractions management, leisure development, or related field.
• Minimum 18 years’ experience in the design, delivery, or operational planning of major outdoor attraction assets.
• Experience in working with international design & build vendors for complex experiential attractions.
• Strong familiarity with project management processes, including vendor tendering, technical evaluation, and delivery monitoring.
• Exceptional communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with executive leadership to C-Suite level.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a high-paced program environment, either on-site or in a hybrid capacity.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in outdoor adventure attractions, themed entertainment, or family entertainment centers.
• Strong understanding of guest journey design and user safety integration.
• Awareness and working knowledge of safety and quality specific to outdoor attractions to include:
• EN 15567: ropes courses, zip lines, and harness-based activities. EN 959: mountaineering equipment, rock anchors. ISO 2110: adventure tourism safety management. ISO 31000: risk management framework.
• ASTM International F-24 and ASTM F2291-24; F2376; F2959
• International projects previous experience in world class international projects in delivery and operations of Attractions assets is a distinct advantage.
  
  
  

This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of one of the region’s most anticipated destination developments. Candidates with diverse attraction backgrounds and a passion for immersive, safe, and impactful guest experiences are encouraged to apply.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

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