Overview
Position
Corporate Sustainability & ESG
Job Code
Reports to
Head of Strategy Office
Direct Reports
Division
Sustainability
Department
Strategy Office
Role Purpose
- Steer and evolve the NEOM Company’s Sust./ESG strategy , objectives and goals and drive integration within policies, processes and decision making in accordance with the NEOM Company, regulatory requirements and relevant industry best practices, standards and frameworks
- Promote a high-performance working environment embracing NEOM’s values as a key member of the Department’s senior leadership team, providing guidance, support and a mentoring role to the team, and key department stakeholders and coach decision makers to manage complex trade-offs
- Champion cultural change across the entire organization and promote ongoing dialogue with internal and external stakeholders to develop constructive relationships and collaboration
- Grow sustainability knowledge and capabilities within NEOM proponents over time, while maintaining a team of experts to coordinate work program and activities required
- Promote openness to new thinking , innovation and emerging technologies to ensure NEOM remains a leader in sustainability
- Build stakeholder confidence and trust by securing transparency of sustainability performance through ESG disclosure, reporting and communication
- Anticipate regulatory trends and their implications and guide the NEOM Company’s response
Key Accountabilities & Activities
Leadership
- Participate as a key member of the Department’s senior leadership team, providing strategic guidance, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and driving initiatives
- Assist executive leadership team in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities and decision-making regarding sustainability
- Keep executive leadership team and other key stakeholders abreast on the NEOM Company’s sustainability performance and progress
- Engage the executive leadership team on current and emerging topics relating to sustainability matters that may affect the business, operations, performance, public image and its stakeholders and, if appropriate, detail actions taken in relation to the same
- Coach decision-makers to manage complex trade-offs regarding sustainability, facilitating a deeper understanding of the sustainability impacts of their decision and guiding them in balancing short-term goals with long-term outcomes
Accountabilities
Strategy Management , Advisory & Governance
- Steer and evolve the NEOM Company’s Sust./ESG strategy, objectives and goals in accordance with the NEOM Company, regulatory requirements and relevant industry best practices, standards and frameworks
- Provide expert guidance to senior leadership and the board on the development and implementation of sustainability strategies that align with NEOM’s vision and goals
- Offer insights and recommendations on emerging sustainability trends, risks, and opportunities, helping NEOM to proactively adapt and innovate
- Advise on the formulation of sustainability policies and support the integration of sustainability principles into corporate governance frameworks
Operations & Delivery
- Guide the identification and prioritization of Sustainability initiatives and steer and approve strategies, resource allocation and budget for implementation in the short, medium and long term
- Oversee the development and integration of Sustainability criteria into short- and long-term business, capital, value and operations planning
Risk Management
- Steer mitigation and remediation strategies to proactively address short-, medium- and long-term sustainability risks
Culture & Workforce
- Build partnership relationships with relevant divisions, sectors and regions to ensure collaboration and to provide direction on sustainability integration
- Guide the Head of Department in building and maintaining a high-performance culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement
- Help sustainability narrative and communicate purpose for transformation across internal stakeholders
- Drive the mobilization of the Sust./ESG capability framework and activate communities of practices to build a sustainability talent pool within the NEOM Company
- Enhance awareness and build skills pool across the NEOM Company through engagement sessions and training
Sustainability Innovation
- Stay informed on emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities in sustainability and provide thought leadership on sustainability innovations, advising on how to drive sustainable growth
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning and use acquired knowledge to inspire and guide partnership initiatives
Sustainability Reporting & Disclosure
- Guide and oversee the implementation of sustainability reporting metrics and protocols in line with industry best practices and reporting requirements
- Track the progress and outcomes of partnership activities, ensuring transparency and accountability in achieving sustainability goals
- Present reports to senior leadership, partners, and other stakeholders, demonstrating the impact of partnership initiatives and identifying areas for improvement
Strategic Partnership Development, Stakeholder Management & Community Relations
- Identify and cultivate partner relationships with key external stakeholders and key businesses and central functions across NEOM to provide direction on sustainability and advance NEOM’s sustainability agenda
- Foster and maintain strong relationships with existing partners, ensuring ongoing communication, collaboration, and alignment of sustainability initiatives
- Engage with diverse internal stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns, and expectations related to sustainability
- Oversee partnership-driven sustainability programs and ensure they deliver measurable impact and align with NEOM’s strategic priorities
- Advocate for sustainability policies and practices within partner organizations and in broader industry or regulatory contexts
- Represent NEOM Sustainability and speak at community events (keynotes, panels, lectures) on a regular basis
Background, Skills & Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
The
Executive Director of Sustainability should have a proven track record in sustainability strategy development, integration and oversight, having worked on major- or, preferably, mega-projects, in private/commercial or public (governmental) capacity. Their experience should ideally span over the development life cycle from planning and design through construction, operations, and decommissioning.
The candidate must have:
- Minimum of 15 years' of relevant experience in environmental, governmental and social aspects of sustainability, with a background (Masters or above) in sustainability, environmental science, business, or related fields
- At least 5 years’ demonstrated experience in an executive managerial position in commercial sectors
- Strong understanding of international best practice in sustainability assessment systems such as LEED, ESTIDAMA, Envision or CEEQUAL as well as ESG reporting and disclosure requirements
(SDGs, UNGC, GRI, ISSB, ESRS, TCFD, Framework)
- Extensive experience in providing oversight of sustainability integration and execution
- Experience developing strong collaborative working environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Qualifications
- MSc in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Business, Engineering (or related discipline) with a minimum of 15 years’ experience.
COMMUNICATION - MAIN STAKEHOLDERS
Internal
External
- All internal Sections Departments & Divisions
- All NEOM Sectors
- All NEOM Regions, Subsidiaries & JVs
- Governmental Organizations & NGOs, Academia, Think Tanks, Industry Groups, Tech Partners, Civil Society etc.
- Subject Matter Experts and Consultants