Water Resources Senior Manager

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 Senior Manager Water Resources leads the identification, development and delivery of optimized integrated water resource solutions that realize value for ENOWA and its customers. The Senior Manager Water Resources is responsible for managing the Water Resource Analytics and Groundwater Teams.

The Water Resource Analytics Team leads the design, development, and management of advanced data systems and analytical models that inform water resource planning, forecasting, and optimization for the Water Utility. They are also responsible for the design and execution of programming to update forecasts, data retrieval cycles, and communications which include implementing strategies, policies, processes and systems to effectively manage water resources.

The Groundwater Team leads design, development and management of groundwater resources and ENOWA groundwater projects. These include planning, exploration and construction of remote water supplies, and leading the development and delivery of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program to enable balancing of supply and demand for different water types. The Groundwater Team also works closely with NEOM regulatory functions, and acts as a technical advisor to regulators on management and risks to NEOM’s groundwater resources.

ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES

The Senior Manager Water Resources’ responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Key Accountabilities

• Engage with the Senior Leadership Team to inform strategic planning, team goal setting, budget and financial management.
• Develop annual goal cascades, from the Senior Leadership Team through to reports personal goal setting.
• Develop financial year budget forecasts, aligned to business goals, and ensure the budget is administered in accordance with ENOWA and NEOM Company policies.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the team’s procurement strategy, and align resources to best enable the delivery via implementation goal cascades
• Lead the Water Resource Analytics team through stakeholder engagement and ensure its alignment with the expectations of the Senior Leadership Team.  
• Develop and deliver the ENOWA – Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program – Engage with specialist consultants, prepare and manage technical tender processes and documentation (i.e. desktop studies, field investigations, groundwater modelling, design & construction of well fields, O&M, etc.). Technical supervision and approval of technical deliverables and delivering schedule.
• Guide and promote the growth of both the team and the individuals within the team, encouraging them to achieve their full potential.
• Provide technical review of documents and guide Proponents to overcome groundwater issues within their development.
• Establish and manage the groundwater investigations capability, including technical supervision of field investigations (Geophysical Studies, Exploratory Wells, Hydraulic Testing, etc.) for the assessment and planning of groundwater resources within NEOM.
• Engage with NEOM Company Proponents and Regulatory functions to guide the requirements Regional Groundwater Assessment – supervise the team delivering hydrogeological studies and field investigations for the characterization of hydrogeological settings (storage, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, geological 3D modelling, mapping, and risk assessments).
• Lead engagement with NEOM Authority on water resource regulatory and policy development
• Manage science support for Natural Water Management Plans on request of the NEOM Authority
• Groundwater Monitoring & Control – supervise the implementation of the groundwater monitoring system for the planning and management of resources (i.e. Quality, Quantity & Environmental Target Goals). Analyse groundwater data & information, and report risks & opportunities.
• Evaluate trends, patterns and assess compliance with regulatory standards.
• Groundwater Licensing & Permits – Manage delivery of water resource permits. Conduct risk assessment and develop suitable risk management plans.
• NEOM Integrated Water Resources Management – Coordinate with the Water Resource Analytics Unit to develop and maintain an optimized NEOM water balance model (i.e. surface water, recycled water, desalinated water, groundwater.)
• Coordinate ENOWA’s engagement with the NEOM Water Department on groundwater management practices within NEOM, considering groundwater interactions with surface water (wadi/springs/oases) and coastal waters.
• Supervise delivery of the NEOM – Groundwater Well Decommissioning Program.
• Technical support and supervision of temporary production wells to cover temporary construction water demands.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Requires minimum 12+ years of experience in groundwater and aquifer management, water regulatory experience desirable
• Strong technical competence in ASR and hydrogeology.
• Understanding of water resource planning and regulation.
• Project management capability
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Resourceful approach to work, displaying initiative and decision-making skills
• Strong analytical, logical reasoning, modelling, and structured problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal, social, listening and communications skills in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others through a mix of strong facilitation coaching, mentoring, communication and influencing skills.
• Stakeholder engagement, negotiation & management skills
• Ability to work in and create clarity from ambiguity and uncertainty.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Geography or Civil Engineering.
• Master’s degree in a Science-based subject is preferable 
• Desirable Certification on Project Management or Agile PRINCE2 or PMI for example