Role Purpose:

The Facilities Management Subject Matter Expert (SME) will play an important role in shaping the future operations of The LINE by providing expert-level consultation across both hard and soft services. This role focuses on ensuring that operability, maintainability, serviceability, and sustainability are embedded in the design and development of the facilities management approach during The LINE's development phase. The SME will work closely with internal stakeholders, design teams, and stakeholders to develop processes and plans for facilities management that are aligned with NEOM’s vision of innovation, sustainability, and smart city integration.

The Facilities Management SME will serve as a broad-spectrum SME in both hard and soft services, focusing on ensuring that the facilities management approaches being developed today will support seamless, efficient operations in the future. The role requires expertise in FM processes, operational strategy, service delivery, and technology integration to guide The LINE's Facilities Management team in preparing for future operational success.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Provide high-level guidance and consultation to ensure that operability, maintainability, and serviceability are prioritized in all FM-related decisions during the development phase.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders to ensure that facilities management strategies align with NEOM’s sustainability, innovation, and smart city goals.
• Influence the development of FM Approaches / Plans that are scalable, adaptable, and designed for both hard and soft services, ensuring future operational efficiency.
• Act as the key liaison between FM teams and design / construction teams to ensure that FM’s long-term goals are integrated into every stage of the project.

Operational Framework Development

• Lead the development of operational frameworks that will define how both hard and soft services will be managed during the operational phase, ensuring alignment with future needs for efficiency and service delivery.
• Oversee the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both hard and soft services, ensuring these procedures support sustainability, operational efficiency, and cost management.
• Collaborate with teams to develop maintenance strategies, cleaning schedules, waste management frameworks, and security protocols that are adaptable to the unique requirements of The LINE’s infrastructure.
• Support the creation of service delivery models for soft services, ensuring they are optimized for future scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Soft Services Expertise

• Provide expert guidance on the development and management of soft services, including cleaning, waste management, landscaping, catering, and security, ensuring these services are designed for operational efficiency and sustainability.
• Ensure that soft services are integrated with smart technologies and aligned with the LINE’s goals for creating smart, efficient, and sustainable environments.
• Collaborate with vendors and service providers to assess and recommend the most effective and innovative solutions for soft services management during the operational phase.
• Ensure that soft services strategies prioritize high-quality service delivery, cost control, and environmental impact.

Hard Services Expertise

• Provide strategic input into the design and development of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and other hard services systems to ensure they meet future operational needs for serviceability and maintenance.
• Guide the creation of long-term preventive and predictive maintenance plans for hard services, ensuring they support system reliability and minimal downtime during operations.
• Ensure that hard services are designed with accessibility and sustainability in mind, allowing for easy serviceability once systems are operational.
• Collaborate with the Digital FM team to ensure that hard services are integrated with smart building technologies like IoT, AI-driven maintenance, and predictive analytics.

Technology and Innovation

• Work closely with the Digital FM team to support the selection and integration of smart technologies for both hard and soft services, ensuring these technologies are aligned with future operational needs.
• Evaluate emerging FM technologies, including automation, IoT-based monitoring, and predictive maintenance tools, and ensure they are integrated into FM planning.
• Provide recommendations for the use of sustainable technologies in both hard and soft services, ensuring that FM strategies are aligned with NEOM’s zero-carbon and sustainability goals.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Develop and implement risk management plans for both hard and soft services, ensuring that risks related to serviceability and operational continuity are mitigated.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory standards, including those related to health, safety, and environmental impact.
• Conduct risk assessments to ensure both hard and soft services can operate efficiently and safely, with contingency plans in place to address potential service disruptions.
• Work with the legal and compliance teams to ensure that all FM strategies and frameworks meet future regulatory requirements, particularly regarding sustainability and safety.

Key Result Area's (KRA's):

Strategic Leadership

• Ensure the development of FM strategies that effectively integrate both hard and soft services, aligned with the future operational needs of The LINE.
• Influence critical design and development decisions by embedding operability, maintainability, and serviceability principles into early project phases.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align FM strategies with NEOM’s broader goals for sustainability, smart technology integration, and efficiency.
• Drive the creation of scalable FM processes that will transition seamlessly from the development phase to full operational capacity.

Operational Plans and SOPs

• Develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both hard and soft services, ensuring these frameworks are designed for long-term operational efficiency.
• Oversee the creation of detailed maintenance schedules, cleaning procedures, security protocols, and other service-related frameworks to ensure future readiness.
• Ensure that all operational frameworks prioritize sustainability, cost-efficiency, and scalability, aligned with the evolving needs of the project.
• Collaborate with relevant teams to embed preventive and predictive maintenance plans for both hard and soft services, ensuring minimal downtime once operational.
• Ensure that all documentation and frameworks are adaptable to accommodate future technological advancements and infrastructure changes.

Technology and Smart Integration

• Support the integration of smart FM technologies (IoT, AI-driven maintenance) into both hard and soft services, ensuring they are aligned with future monitoring and diagnostic needs.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies that enhance the sustainability and operational efficiency of the facilities management strategy.
• Collaborate with the Digital FM team to ensure that smart technologies are seamlessly integrated into both service delivery and operational frameworks.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Develop comprehensive risk management frameworks to mitigate risks associated with both hard and soft services in the future operational environment.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations, embedding these standards into the facilities management processes from the development phase.
• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in operational strategies, ensuring continuity of services during emergencies or system failures.
• Implement robust contingency plans for both hard and soft services to minimize service disruption and ensure system reliability post-development.
• Regularly review compliance documentation to ensure that facilities management processes meet all evolving legal and environmental standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in facilities management, strategy, and planning for multi-asset, complex developments, with experience in overseeing projects, preferably in Saudi Arabia or the Middle East.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale, complex FM projects, preferably in Saudi Arabia or the Middle East region.
• Strong understanding of various FM services, including hard and soft services, asset management, and technology integration.
• Familiarity with local market dynamics, regulations, and best practices in the FM industry.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
• In-depth knowledge of the Saudi Arabian market, including its regulatory landscape, labor market, and business environment.
• Understanding of the cultural nuances and expectations within Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.
• Comprehensive understanding of the FM industry and its emerging trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Experience in developing and implementing facilities management strategies, processes, and procedures.
• Proven track record in contract management, procurement planning, and service provider mobilization.
• Familiarity with performance management frameworks, including KPIs, SLAs, and performance improvement plans.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic and rapidly changing work environment.
• Knowledge of digital solutions and technologies relevant to facilities management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for cost model development, and PowerPoint for creating high-quality presentations to effectively communicate strategies and proposals to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Qualifications:

• A BSc/MSc in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree or MBA would be highly desirable.
• Practical experience in facilities management is highly valued, with a focus on technical and operational expertise across hard and soft services.
• Technical qualifications or certifications in FM disciplines (e.g., IWFM, IFMA) are desirable, but not mandatory for highly experienced professionals.
• Candidates with career growth through hands-on experience in facilities management, coupled with relevant industry certifications, will be prioritized.
• Certification or training in ISO standards relevant to facilities management, such as ISO 41000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, or ISO 55001, would be advantageous.