Industry Capacity Building Manager

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

NEOM’s Entertainment and Culture sector (E&C) requires an Industry Capacity Building Manager to play a key role in the design and delivery of specialized education and training programs for the entertainment & cultural industries including but not limited to NEOM’s Arts & Cultural Leadership Development Program and related initiatives. This position requires an individual with an understanding and passion for the cultural sector and education and training, to support building a professional creative workforce aligned with NEOM’s strategic vision.

Reporting to the Director of Engagement & Capacity Building this role is key to preparing a highly skilled specialized workforce for the Entertainment and Culture industries at NEOM.

REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

• Experience in program management, with a focus on education, training, and professional development in creative and cultural industries.
• Strong understanding of entertainment and cultural industries, with proven experience in building specialized education and training programs.
• Advanced relationship-building skills with both internal leadership and external industry and public sector partners, supporting program collaboration and participant engagement.
• Expertise in overseeing learner experiences, including outreach, selection, onboarding, training, and alumni development.
• Skilled in applying resources effectively across program delivery, evaluation, and talent outreach to meet industry workforce needs.
• Commitment to driving innovation in education and training to support future creative industry growth.

ROLE COMPETENCIES & ACTIVITIES

The Industry Capacity Building Manager responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Program Management and Coordination

• Manage and coordinate specialized education, training and professional development programs for the creative, cultural and entertainment industries such as the recently inaugurated NEOM Arts & Cultural Leadership Development Program.

Collaboration with Education and Training Partners

• Work closely with E&C’s domestic and global education and training partners and suppliers to co-design and develop specialized programs matched to NEOM and wider entertainment and cultural industry requirements.

Learner Participant Experience Management

• Manage all stages of learner participant experience from national talent outreach, selection, onboarding, training online and in person, to industry placement and ongoing alumni engagement.

Alumni Community Development

• Establish the E&C alumni community and pilot an annual program of continuous professional development initiatives with the aim of maintaining close relationships with all graduates of NEOM’s E&C professional learning offerings.

Relationship Building with NEOM and Industry Partners

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with NEOM E&C leaders. Equally, develop and maintain professional relationships with external domestic and international industry and public sector partners.

Resource Management and Application

• Effectively manage and apply resources across, talent outreach, selection, program delivery, evaluation of all education and training activities to efficiently support NEOM E&C industry workforce needs and requirements.

Excellence and Innovation in Education and Training

• Contribute to driving excellence and innovation in creative industries education and training practices to foster and enable the future of culture and entertainment at NEOM and beyond.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Substantial knowledge and understanding of Entertainment & Cultural Industries.
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of education, training and professional development practices for the creative and cultural industries.
• A minimum of 7 years relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrable experience effectively managing programs, projects and initiatives in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Well-developed relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills are essential.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the capability to deal with people from diverse backgrounds.
• A strong process-oriented mindset.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree level qualifications in Education, Entertainment & Culture related field preferable, but not essential.
• Understanding and experience of higher education, technical training and professional development environments and practices.
• Proficiency in office software/Microsoft 365 suite.