OVERVIEW

Position

Manager, Deal Diligence & Risk Management

Job Code

Reports to

Director, Group Strategy & Business Development

Direct Reports

2024: no

Division/Section

Manufacturing & Innovation

Department

Group Strategy & Business Development

Sector

Oxagon region and Manufacturing Sector

Job Family

Department overview

Oxagon, a region of NEOM, is set to be the leading zone for the development of advanced and clean industries, built on renewable energy. It will comprise one of the world’s most efficient and sustainable automated ports, fully integrated with the supply chain and logistics for the whole of NEOM. It will be home to a Research and Innovation district, with the purpose of accelerating labs to market. All of this will be underpinned by exceptional livability – building urban communities that provide quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Oxagon will contribute to NEOM’s and Saudi Arabia’s vision to diversify the economy towards a knowledge-based economy (see www.NEOM.com). NEOM’s Manufacturing Sector (part of the Oxagon Company) focuses on developing 7 prioritized manufacturing clusters: Autonomous & Sustainable Mobility, Modern Construction, Technology & Digital, Renewable Energy, Water Innovation, Health, Well-being & Biotech and Sustainable Food Production.

The Group Strategy & Business Development function is instrumental for the success of Oxagon. The function has a wide array of responsibilities and has been structured around 5 key teams with clear roles and responsibilities:

• Strategy & Analytics – sets the strategy for Manufacturing and Innovation across NEOM and manages and optimizes the business plan. The team also has the lead on market intelligence and are responsible to provide insights to the wider organization to ensure data-driven decision making
• Business Development - Continuously paves the way for the SME Tenant Attraction team by providing direction, insights and tools, while also managing all Strategic Accounts (complex and/or bigger deals), NEOM Sector relationships and Lease Management. The team is constantly looking for new business opportunities and is established to provide incoming manufacturing & innovation investors with exceptional commercial support
• Industrial Development & Economic Policy - Drives the development and implementation of the industrial masterplan and a wide array of enablers (e.g., infrastructure and utility requirements, manufacturing regulations and policies, industrial workforce development and localization levers) to ensure that Oxagon is set up for success
• ESG - Sets the ambition level and drives the implementation of a best-in-class ESG policy for manufacturing and innovation activities. Also has the lead on ESG/Sustainability reporting and supports incoming tenants complying with NEOM requirements
• Deal Diligence & Risk Management – owns the Oxagon Incentive Program, deal governance and Risk Management Framework. Has the responsibility to assess potential manufacturing & innovation tenants to ensure that only the best companies are contracted and that the ideal incentive packages are being offered

Role Overview

The “Manager, Deal Diligence & Risk Management” will be responsible for Oxagon’s Incentive Program and overall deals’ diligence and governance. The Manager will be responsible for driving projects/activities, including but not limited to:

1. Oversee the Manufacturing & Innovation Investor journey and relevant processes and governance
2. Oversee comprehensive due diligence processes to ensure tenant selection aligns with established criteria and strategic goals
3. Manage the Manufacturing and Innovation Financial Incentive Programs to drive growth and innovation
4. Lead the structuring, negotiation, and optimization of Financial Incentive Packages, ensuring they align with organizational objectives
5. Ensure ongoing oversight and management of committed incentive packages, maintaining alignment with strategic outcomes
6. Own the Risk Assessment Programs, including the implementation of robust risk mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES

Functional Strategy & Leadership

• Ensure the implementation of the function’s approved policies, procedures and processes
• Help review the operating model of the function to optimize operational effectiveness
• Provide expertise to development programs and industrial projects
• Implement a rigorous process that guarantees only top-tier companies are contracted, with optimal incentive packages tailored to meet mutual strategic objectives

People Management

• Help identify, recruit and develop resources to drive the mandate of the Group Strategy & Business Development function

Core Mandate

Oversee the Manufacturing & Innovation Investor Journey and relevant processes and governance

• Lead the Manufacturing and Innovation Investor Journey by carefully managing each stage of the process and ensuring compliance with governance frameworks
• Develop new templates and tools simplifying for the deal owners to comply with mandatory stage-gates along the investor journey

Oversee comprehensive due diligence processes to ensure tenant selection aligns with established criteria and strategic goals

• Provide proactive support to Business Development and SME Tenant Attraction teams to ensure their alignment with Oxagon due diligence framework
• Fully undertake the assessment, screening and compliance of new Manufacturing & Innovation investors
• Run financial modeling and challenge assumptions in submitted feasibility studies

Manage the Manufacturing and Innovation Financial Incentive Programs to drive growth and innovation

• Oversee the Manufacturing and Innovation Financial Incentive Programs:
  • Investors’ Criteria and Eligibility
  • Array of available financial incentives
  • Development of tailored investment packages
  • Mechanism and functionality of Incentives Scheme
• Manage relations with key stakeholders in Saudi Arabia offering incentives to Manufacturing and Innovation investors, and develop joint proposals

Lead the structuring, negotiation, and optimization of Financial Incentive Packages, ensuring they align with organizational objectives

• Lead on the enrollment of investors in the Financial Incentive Program. A process that would include understanding investors’ financials and business planning and building rational assessment of investor eligibility and offered package
• Agree Performance-based KPIs
• Conduct benchmarking as input to the incentive negotiations

Ensure ongoing oversight and management of committed incentive packages, maintaining alignment with strategic outcomes.

• Close monitoring of committed incentives to investors ensuring relevant terms are achieved in line with overall Oxagon objectives
• Follow-up on agreed KPIs and ensure risk mitigation actions are taken

Own the Risk Assessment Programs, including the implementation of robust risk mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle.

• Continuously keep the Risk Assessment Programs up-to-date and fit for purpose
• Provide proactive support to Business Development and Tenant Attraction teams to ensure their alignment with Oxagon Risk Assessment framework
• Fully undertake the required risk assessment and screening of new Manufacturing & Innovation investors including risk mitigation activities over investor’s lifecycle

BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive proven experience in a senior risk management role with high exposure to a wide array of fields
• In-depth knowledge and proficiency in financial modelling and financial analysis
• Strong negotiation skills
• Highly experienced in developing best-in-class Due Diligence, KYC and Risk Management practices
• Passionate about manufacturing and with a solid understanding of manufacturing ecosystems
• Detailed-oriented professional with strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Strong team building and team management capabilities and with strong stakeholder management capabilities
• Strong understanding and always up-to-date of latest financial incentives offerings to foreign companies, compliance standards, risk management and due diligence practices
• Excellent interpersonal skills and Senior Management Experience to enable engagement with Senior Executives with a view to assessing business opportunities
• Strong presentation skills and exceptional presentation preparation and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) capabilities
• Character and willingness to perform in a fast-paced, startup-like environment
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in finance, risk management, or a related role, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership position

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree or MBA is preferred. Professional certifications in risk management and governance are desirable

COMMUNICATION - MAIN STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

External

• Manufacturing Investor Attraction teams
• Research & Innovation
• Investor Services
• Advanced & Clean Manufacturing team
• Projects team
• Legal
• Finance & Procurement
• NEOM Authority
• NEOM regions and sectors
• NEOM Investment Fund team

• Executives of national and multinational companies
• KSA/GCC Governmental entities (SIDF/NIDLP…), coordinating with OXAGON KSA Manufacturing and Commercial Outreach
• External stakeholders