Yaser Khawaji

Program Management Director at Saudi Railways

Speaker

Yaser Khawaji is a senior executive in Saudi Arabia’s transport sector, currently serving as the Director of Program Management at Saudi Railways. He leads strategic oversight of two of the Kingdom’s most critical public transportation assets: the Haramain High-Speed Railway and the Mashaer Metro Project. With over 17 years of professional experience, Khawaji brings deep expertise in contract management, rail operations, and governance across transportation.

In his current role, Khawaji is responsible for managing multi-billion-riyal programs, ensuring performance optimisation, and aligning rail infrastructure with national development priorities. He has successfully driven a 50% increase in passenger ridership, achieved a 22%growth in revenues, and delivered a 40% reduction in service variation costs. These outcomes reflect his results-driven leadership and skill in balancing commercial strategy with public service obligations.

Khawaji plays a key role in fostering intergovernmental collaboration, managing stakeholder relations with entities such as the Ministry of Transport and the Royal Commission of Makkah. He is recognized for his ability to lead large-scale negotiations, implement robust governance frameworks, and resolve complex contract disputes.