Jabal Omar Development Company has appointed Eng. Waleed Ali Al-Harthi as its new CEO in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Harthi will take charge on 6 September 2026. The appointment follows the resignation of current CEO Eng. Saleh Habdan Alhabdan.
The company’s Board of Directors accepted Alhabdan’s resignation, effective 3 September 2026. However, Alhabdan will continue to serve as a member of the Board.
Al-Harthi brings more than 20 years of executive and professional experience. His career spans hospitality, asset management, facilities management and operations.
Al-Harthi brings hospitality and asset management experience
Before joining Jabal Omar Development, Al-Harthi served as Chief Executive Officer of Abraj Al-Saa’ah Company.
The company operates the King Abdulaziz Endowment for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah. During his tenure, Al-Harthi led strategic and operational initiatives across the hospitality business.
He focused on improving asset efficiency and strengthening partnerships. He also worked to improve services and experiences for pilgrims.
In addition, he oversaw a large mixed-use asset supported by thousands of employees and service providers.
His work at Abraj Al-Saa’ah included capital restructuring and hotel asset optimisation. He also led cost-saving programmes and introduced technology-based operational controls.
Earlier roles at NWC and Mobily
Al-Harthi has also held senior roles at the National Water Company (NWC) and Mobily.
At NWC, he served as Deputy Senior General Manager for the Western Cluster. His responsibilities covered several key functions.
These included shared services, governance, health, safety and security. He also oversaw environmental functions, IT operations and risk management.
Earlier, Al-Harthi spent more than a decade at Mobily. His roles covered facilities, projects, procurement and contract management.
He later served as General Manager of Administration and Total Facility Management.
Career began at SABIC
Al-Harthi began his professional career at SABIC as an electrical instrument engineer.
Over the years, he moved into senior operational and management roles. His experience has therefore covered both technical and executive functions.
At Abraj Al-Saa’ah, he also launched a Hajj and Umrah business vertical. The initiative received recognition from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Engineering and leadership background
Al-Harthi holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).
He has also completed a leadership development programme at Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.
His combination of engineering, operations and hospitality experience comes as Jabal Omar Development continues to expand its major mixed-use and hospitality destination in Makkah.
Leadership transition comes as Jabal Omar develops Makkah destination
The CEO transition comes at an important stage for Jabal Omar Development.
The company is developing one of Makkah’s major hospitality and mixed-use destinations. As a result, Al-Harthi’s experience in hospitality, asset management and large-scale operations could support the company’s next phase.
His appointment is expected to build on Jabal Omar Development’s operational and strategic priorities as the company continues to develop its Makkah assets.
