Saudi Arabia has become one of the most active markets for large-scale projects, technical hiring and long-term workforce planning. As demand grows, businesses entering the Kingdom often look for partners who understand the local landscape and can deliver support on the ground. Leap29 has worked in Saudi Arabia for years through international delivery teams, though 2025 marks an important shift.
The appointment of Yazeed Burghol as Leap29’s first permanent hire in the Kingdom gives clients direct access to an in-country presence supported by a compliant local entity. This move strengthens how we deliver Workforce Management and RPO services across Saudi Arabia, combining global reach with local knowledge and day-to-day responsiveness.
To explore what this means for clients already operating in the region, as well as companies preparing to enter the market, we spoke with Yazeed about his experience, the hiring landscape, and the opportunities ahead for organisations expanding into Saudi Arabia.
Can you share a bit about your background and what attracted you to join Leap29?
“I’ve built my career driving business growth across manpower supply, recruitment, HR tech and workforce-solutions delivery in Saudi Arabia. Much of my work has centred on launching new service lines, managing large-scale deployments and supporting clients in oil & gas, EPC, manufacturing, industrial services and digital transformation.
Leap29 stood out because of its mix of international reach and an established, compliant setup in Saudi Arabia. The business already supports clients in more than 180 countries, backed by a global team of 70-plus consultants and now has a permanent legal presence in the Kingdom. That combination of global capability and genuine in-country execution was a major draw. Joining at a point of strategic growth and helping shape the Saudi operation made the move a natural fit.”
How would you describe the current business and hiring landscape in Saudi Arabia?
“It’s a fast-moving market and increasingly driven by quality rather than short-term speed. Companies are focusing on:
- Highly skilled technical talent
- Strong workforce planning
- Project-based staffing that can scale
- Local responsiveness and reliable follow-through
The market is maturing quickly, and organisations want partners who can manage compliance, consistency and contractor care as operations expand.”
What challenges do international companies face when expanding or recruiting in the Kingdom?
Navigating the regulatory landscape
“The system is structured, though companies new to the Kingdom often need clear guidance on visas, employment rules, sector classifications and local processes to avoid delays.
Building an operational model that meets local requirements
Without the right entity setup, licences, or procedures, mobilisation can slow down. With an experienced in-country partner, this becomes far easier and far quicker.
Talent competition in specialist areas
Engineering, technical and digital roles remain in high demand. Access to both local and international talent pipelines is essential and this is where global workforce partners bring real value.”
How does Leap29’s permanent presence in Saudi Arabia support clients entering or growing in the Kingdom?
“Having a permanent base allows us to deliver aligned, end-to-end Workforce Management and RPO support, including:
- A compliant Saudi entity for contractor deployment and workforce management
- Local teams handling mobilisation, onboarding, government relations and contractor care
- Access to Leap29’s global talent network across more than 180 countries
- Faster responses and real-time support throughout projects
- A single delivery model that brings together global sourcing with in-country execution
This gives clients the reassurance of an international provider with the practical benefits of on-the-ground support.”
How will Saudi-based support change the way Leap29 delivers Workforce Management and RPO services in the region?
“Local presence strengthens delivery in several ways:
- Closer communication through in-country account management and on-site visits
- Faster mobilisation thanks to dedicated local HR, GRO and operations teams
- More structured workforce management, including onboarding, compliance and contractor care
- Seamless global-to-local workflows across our RPO solutions
- Clear, real-time market insights on talent availability, timelines and costs
A key point is that some vendors operate without the proper setup, which affects delivery quality. Our compliant and structured presence removes that risk entirely.”
Which sectors or areas of growth are creating the most demand for talent right now?
“We’re seeing strong demand across:
- Oil & Gas (engineering, construction, drilling, operations)
- Power and Renewables (solar, T&D, grid projects)
- EPC and major infrastructure programmes
- Industrial manufacturing and maintenance
- IT, data and digital transformation
- Healthcare, pharmaceuticals and life sciences
- Logistics and large-scale supply chain operations
Most roles are technical, engineering, digital, operational, or project-related and require partners who can mobilise talent efficiently.”
What should businesses know if they’re considering entering the Saudi market in 2025?
“A few priorities stand out:
- Plan ahead: Workforce planning, visa timelines and mobilisation need structure to keep pace with project schedules.
- Choose the right operating model: Many companies prefer partnering with a compliant manpower and recruitment provider rather than setting up a full entity. This lowers risk and accelerates market entry.
- Quality and reliability matter: There is a clear shift toward partners with strong governance, transparent processes and consistent delivery.
- Local presence builds trust: Clients and contractors respond better when support is available in the Kingdom.
2025 will be execution-heavy: Major projects are moving from planning to full delivery, so scalable workforce models and fast mobilisation will be essential.”
