Director – ESG

OVERVIEW

NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like. A region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, NEOM is being built from the ground up to include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports, next-generation infrastructure and industries, enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations. 

As a destination, it will be a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.

As a workplace, it is a place for people who share our core values of care, curiosity, diversity, passion, respect, and becoming a catalyst for change. 

Are you ready to help NEOM find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges? Are you prepared to create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come? Then we want to hear from you!

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) Director is responsible for leading development, implementation, and oversight of ESG accounting and internal control frameworks that align with NEOM’s objectives and regulatory requirements. The role requires analytical skills, flexible thinking, experience working with ambiguity, and judgement in determining materiality. This role will ensure integrity of financial and non-financial ESG data, manage ESG internal control environment, and drive regulatory compliance across ESG disclosures. This position will be in NEOM Central Finance and partner closely with cross-functional teams in Central Finance and across NEOM (Strategy, Legal, Operations, Projects, GRC, Internal Audit, Subsidiaries, Sectors and Regions) to support the effective management and control of ESG data and ensure compliance with current and future KSA and global regulations. This position will play a critical role in the company’s overall ESG governance, ensuring a robust control environment and audit-readiness for ESG reporting. The role will also drive continuous improvement of internal processes and systems to strengthen ESG data governance and reporting accuracy.

REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

• Minimum 10 years of experience in audit, internal controls or ESG, with deep understanding of ESG frameworks including International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) S1, S2, non-financial reporting requirements, and ESG-related assurance engagements.
• Real estate, construction, development, sovereign wealth fund, or investments company experience.
• Knowledge of ESG regulatory & compliance requirements in KSA and globally.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective ESG internal control framework to ensure compliance with current and future KSA and global ESG reporting requirements. Ensure ESG data governance policies and procedures are rigorously followed across all ESG initiatives, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of financial and non-financial performance metrics. Lead and manage risk assessments for ESG data collection, focusing on risk mitigation, and continuous improvement of controls related to ESG disclosures. Identify opportunities for process optimization and system enhancements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ESG data gathering, analysis, and reporting. Ensure adherence to mandatory KSA, IFRS ESG disclosures and others under current regulations and regulations issued in the future, while also monitoring voluntary disclosures, as applicable.
• Ensure that NEOM is fully prepared for limited and reasonable assurance obligations, including overseeing the preparation, review, and gap closing for ESG audit requirements. Manage relationships with internal and external auditors. Manage audit timeliness and budgets. Prepare audit status materials for senior management and the Audit Committee.
• Foster a strong control mindset within NEOM, Central Finance and across NEOM, promoting a culture of transparency, compliance, and accountability in ESG data management. Act as a liaison between Central Finance and across NEOM (Strategy, Legal, Operations, Projects, GRC, Internal Audit, Subsidiaries, Sectors and Regions), and others to ensure the proper integration of ESG control requirements into key business processes. Provide subject matter expertise on ESG controls, governance, and regulatory requirements to internal teams and senior management, guiding the development and implementation of policies and procedures to enhance ESG data integrity. Partner with IT and data management teams to integrate ESG controls and reporting tools into broader financial and operational systems, enabling better data visualization, analysis, and decision-making. Collaborate with key stakeholders across NEOM to align ESG controls with broader corporate governance objectives.
• Extensive knowledge of global ESG frameworks, risk management, and regulations.
• Experience in Finance functions, corporate governance, and compliance audits.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze complex sustainability challenges and develop practical solutions.

ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES

The ESG Director responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Stakeholder Management

·       Analyze stakeholders’ needs, interests, and influence to prioritize engagement strategies.

·       Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans tailored to different stakeholder groups.

·       Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication and meetings.

·       Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, addressing their concerns and providing updates on relevant activities.

·       Manage the dissemination of information, ensuring timely and accurate communication.

·       Work closely with internal teams, including communications, project management, and legal, to ensure stakeholder interests are aligned with organizational objectives.

·       Identify and address potential conflicts or issues with stakeholders proactively.

·       Mediate disputes or misunderstandings, ensuring that resolutions are in the best interest of both the stakeholders and the organization.

Change Management

·       Stay informed about best practices in stakeholder management and apply them to enhance engagement strategies.

·       Seek feedback from stakeholders to continuously improve the quality of engagement and communication.

·       Promote transparency and accountability in all interactions with stakeholders.

·       Identify potential risks associated with the change and develop strategies to mitigate them.

·       Develop a strategy that outlines the approach, resources and timelines for implementing the change.

Project Management

·       Provide regular reports to senior management on stakeholder engagement status, risks, and opportunities.

·       Use feedback and data to refine and improve stakeholder management strategies.

·       Coordinate stakeholder involvement in projects, ensuring their feedback is integrated into planning and decision-making processes.

·       Track and monitor stakeholder engagement activities and their impact on project outcomes.

Leadership

• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and other communication materials tailored to stakeholders
• Ensure that all stakeholder engagement activities comply with the relevant regulations and ethical standardss
• Utilize data analytics to drive strategies and decisions.

Culture and Values

·       Embrace NEOM’s culture and Values https://www.neom.com/en-us/about

·       Act with honesty and integrity by following best practices, and upholding the robust standards and expectations set out in NEOM’s Code of Conduct.

·       Maintain fair, ethical and professional work practices in accordance with NEOM’s Values and Code of Conduct.

·       Adhere to NEOM’s Policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with rules. 

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 12+ years of experience in audit, internal controls or ESG, with deep understanding of ESG frameworks including International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) S1, S2, non-financial reporting requirements, and ESG-related assurance engagements.
• Real estate, construction, development, sovereign wealth fund, or investments company experience.
• Knowledge of ESG regulatory & compliance requirements in KSA and globally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Master’s degree (preferred).
• Relevant certifications in Environmental Accounting, Environmental Auditing, Finance/Accounting/Auditing (CPA, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAP, ACCA, CMA, ACA, CA, CIA, CISA, CFE or similar).