Senior Manager – Urban Economics

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 Economics, Data and Statistics Division is tasked to carry out economic analyses, develop forecasts of the economy and build a brand-new Statistics Office for NEOM in a greenfield environment in order to produce robust data and statistics about people, the economy and different sectors of interest. We are seeking an experienced Senior Urban Economist with specialized expertise in spatially-driven urban planning to join our dynamic team. The Senior Urban Economist will play a pivotal role in designing ecosystem solutions within NEOM’s urban planning efforts by providing in-depth economic analysis and technical expertise, with a particular focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Models (BIM). This individual will be responsible for integrating economic modeling, policy analysis, and the development of spatial tools and models to guide economic development and infrastructure investment decisions. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical GIS capabilities combined with a deep understanding of urban economics, enabling them to support data-driven decision-making in complex urban environments.

ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES

The Senior Manager’s Urban Economics responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Urban and Regional Economic Analysis

• Conduct comprehensive economic assessments of urban and regional development projects, including cost-benefit analysis, market feasibility studies, and policy impact evaluations.
• Analyze the economic dynamics of urban areas, including land use, transportation, housing markets, labor markets, and environmental factors.
• Provide recommendations for sustainable urban development that align with regional, national, and global economic trends.
• Advise internal stakeholders in NEOM on design decisions related to economic development, housing, infrastructure, and the provision of economic goods and services.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop strategies for improving urban resilience, sustainability, and economic vitality.
• Lead the development of long-term economic development strategies that incorporate economic forecasting, demographic trends, and GIS data.

GIS-Driven Urban Planning

• Leverage GIS technologies, BIM models and spatial analysis tools to collect, analyze, and visualize urban data for urban planning and economic modeling.
• Integrate GIS data with economic models to support land-use planning, transportation network design, zoning analysis, and infrastructure investment strategies.
• Create interactive GIS-based dashboards and maps to communicate findings to stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Manage and maintain large datasets, ensuring data accuracy and consistency for ongoing urban analysis and planning projects.
• Stay up to date with the latest GIS technologies, urban economics research, and planning methodologies.

Economic and Social Ecosystem Analysis

•  Lead comprehensive analyses of economic and social ecosystems, assessing the interdependencies between economic growth, social well-being, environmental sustainability, and policy impacts.
• Develop economic models to evaluate the resilience of communities, regions, and sectors in response to various shocks, including economic crises, environmental challenges, and social inequalities.
• Conduct cross-sectoral analysis of policy impacts, considering issues such as poverty reduction, education, health outcomes, employment, social mobility, and environmental sustainability.

Collaboration and Communication

• Present complex economic and spatial analysis in a clear, concise manner to officials, planning departments, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that economic and spatial considerations are integrated into overall urban planning efforts.

Stakeholder Management

•  Manage urban economics and GIS-driven planning projects from inception to completion, ensuring that deliverables are met on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, providing updates and insights throughout the project lifecycle.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in urban economics, with a focus on GIS applications in urban planning.
• Advanced proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, PostGIS), BIM models and spatial analysis tools.
• Strong quantitative skills, including experience with economic modeling software and econometric analysis.
• In-depth understanding of and experience in spatial econometrics, land-use modeling, transportation planning and Ecosystems development.
• Familiarity with urban policy frameworks and regulatory environments.
• Experience with environmental impact assessments and urban sustainability practices is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-expert stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary projects, meet deadlines, and ensure successful project outcomes.
• Familiarity with Python, R, or other programming languages for spatial data analysis and automation.
• Knowledge of global urbanization trends, economic resilience, and smart city technologies.
• Familiarity with climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in urban environments.
   

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Urban Economics, Regional Planning, Geography, Public Policy, or a related field.