Oxagon, a region of NEOM, is set to be the leading zone for the development of advanced and clean industries, built on renewable energy. It will comprise one of the world’s most efficient and sustainable automated ports, fully integrated with the supply chain and logistics for the whole of NEOM. It will be home to a Research and Innovation district, with the purpose of accelerating labs to market. All of this will be underpinned by exceptional livability – building urban communities that provide quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Oxagon will contribute to NEOM’s and Saudi Arabia’s vision to diversify the economy towards a knowledge-based economy (see www.NEOM.com). NEOM’s Manufacturing Sector (part of the Oxagon Company) focuses on developing 7 prioritized manufacturing clusters: Autonomous & Sustainable Mobility, Modern Construction, Technology & Digital, Renewable Energy, Water Innovation, Health, Well-being & Biotech and Sustainable Food Production.
The Group Strategy & Business Development function is instrumental for the success of Oxagon. The function has a wide array of responsibilities and has been structured around 5 key teams with clear roles and responsibilities:
Strategy & Analytics – sets the strategy for Manufacturing and Innovation across NEOM and manages and optimizes the business plan. The team also has the lead on market intelligence and are responsible to provide insights to the wider organization to ensure data-driven decision making
Business Development – Continuously paves the way for the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Tenant Attraction team by providing direction, insights and tools, while also managing all Strategic Accounts (complex and/or bigger deals), NEOM Sector relationships and Lease Management. The team is constantly looking for new business opportunities and is established to provide incoming manufacturing & innovation investors with exceptional commercial support
Industrial Development & Economic Policy – Drives the development and implementation of the industrial masterplan and a wide array of enablers (e.g., infrastructure and utility requirements, manufacturing regulations and policies, industrial workforce development and localization levers) to ensure that Oxagon is set up for success
ESG – Sets the ambition level and drives the implementation of a best-in-class ESG policy for manufacturing and innovation activities. Also has the lead on ESG/Sustainability reporting and supports incoming tenants complying with NEOM requirements
Deal Diligence & Risk Management – owns the Oxagon Incentive Program, deal governance and Risk Management Framework. Has the responsibility to assess potential manufacturing & innovation tenants to ensure that only the best companies are contracted and that the ideal incentive packages are being offered
Role Overview
The “Manager, Business Development” is responsible for leading/supporting strategic business opportunities/ accounts and is striving to provide exceptional support to manufacturing & innovation investors. This role involves cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, developing new business opportunities/ initiatives, and ensuring the alignment of business goals with Oxagon’s strategic vision.
The “Manager, Business Development” leads/supports comprehensive projects/activities, including but not limited to:
Proactively manage strategic accounts/ opportunities, including NEOM sector assets
Act as the focal point between the Manufacturing & Innovation Division and key NEOM Sectors, as well as NEOM supporting departments, to ensure the success of the SME Tenant Attraction team
Manage the Manufacturing Enablers Program to bring the manufacturing value proposition to fruition
Lead the development of business requirements for the Deal Management Platform
Drive New Business Development Initiatives, focusing on revenue-generating opportunities
Serve as the main liaison with Oxagon Marketing to develop marketing strategies/ content to potential Manufacturing & Innovation investors
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES
Functional Strategy & Leadership
Ensure the implementation of the function’s approved policies, procedures and processes
Help review the operating model of the function to optimize operational effectiveness
Formulate and drive Business Development strategy in line with Division’s overall strategy
People Management
Help identify, recruit and develop resources to drive the mandate of the Group Strategy & Business Development function
Core Mandate
Proactively manage strategic accounts/ opportunities, including NEOM sectors’ assets
Lead/support the development and management of strategic accounts, defined as the biggest and most complex of transactions. A comprehensive activity that will require the “Manager, Business Development” to:
Develop and maintain strong relations with international investors, key stakeholders in Saudi Arabia (e.g. Key Ministries and authorities, public and private invesmtment funds, and any other relevant stakeholders)
Provide exceptional commercial support throughout the investor journey to facilitate the development of their feasibility studies/financial models
Act as the door-opener to introduce the investor to relevant stakeholders inside and outside of NEOM
Support in detailing out the infrastructure solution enabling a successful commissioning of operations in Oxagon
Take the lead in coordinating/managing the internal team executing on the agreed components
Undertake negotiations of land lease agreement and supplemental agreements
Act as the focal point between the Manufacturing & Innovation Division and NEOM Sectors, as well as NEOM supporting departments, to ensure the success of the SME Tennant Attraction team
Integrate with Key stakeholders within NEOM to provide unwavering support to the SME Tenant Attraction team within the Manufacturing & Innovation Division paving the way for potential investors. A thorough activity which includes demand consolidation, localization requirements in RFP’s and sector teams’ alignment. List of NEOM key stakeholders (not exhaustive):
NEOM companies (e.g. ENOWA, TONOMUS, NIF and others)
Regions (The Line, Trojena, Magna and Sindalah)
Projects teams
Other support teams
The “Manager, Business Development” will assist the SME Tenant Attraction team in providing direction and clarity on focus areas and priorities.
Manage the Manufacturing Enablers Program to bring the manufacturing value proposition to fruition
Fully undertake Oxagon’s Manufacturing Enablers Program (MEP) ensuring the readiness of Oxagon Manufacturing Ecosystem to accommodate potential investors (e.g. incentives, localization premium in procurement, local content policy, off-take agreements and other localization levers)
Will be responsible for providing the voice of the investors in diverse projects to ensure the correct solutions/activities are being developed/prioritized
Lead the development of business requirements for the Deal Management Platform (Salesforce)
Undertake and regularly monitor the deployment of Division requirement in the Deal Management Platform as well as deals’ data input
Drive digitization and streamlining to ensure operational efficiencies
Drive New Business Development Initiatives, focusing on revenue-generating opportunities
Constantly explore, identify and develop revenue-generating opportunities/ initiatives creating new revenue streams for the Manufacturing & Innovation Division
Serve as the main liaison with Oxagon Marketing & Communication team to develop marketing strategies/ content supporting investment attraction activities
Interface with Oxagon Marketing & Communication team to create targeted marketing campaigns/ materials/ content to potential investors
BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Extensive proven experience in industrial strategy and business development in a wide array of fields
Passionate about manufacturing and with a solid understanding of manufacturing ecosystems
Excellent negotiation and investor relations skills, with a track record of successfully closing high-value deals
Exceptional project management skills and with a track record of managing complex projects
Solid knowledge of the Manufacturing and Innovation Sectors and Ecosystems in Saudi Arabia
Strong understanding of the Manufacturing and Innovation sectors, including key trends, challenges and opportunities
Results-oriented with a strong focus on driving growth through revenue-generating opportunities/ initiatives
Excellent leadership and team management skills, capable of motivating and guiding a diverse group
Good business acumen, financial & economic analysis/development, abstract problem solving and logical reasoning
Good interpersonal skills and Senior Management Experience from Industry to enable engagement with Senior Executives with a view to developing business opportunities
Strong presentation skills and exceptional presentation preparation and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) capabilities
Character and willingness to perform in a fast-paced, startup-like environment
Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently as well as part of a team
Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree/ preferably a Master’s from an accredited university in Business Administration or related disciplines