Regulation and Policy Director

OVERVIEW

Position

Regulation and Policy Director

Job Code

Reports to

Executive Director, Planning & Municipal Affairs

Direct Reports

Division/Section

Planning & Municipal Affairs

Department

Regulation and Policy

Sector

NEOM Authority

Job Family

Role Purpose

The Planning & Municipal Affairs Department (DPMA) is seeking an experienced regulator with strong legal and regulatory experience and skills to lead the Regulation and Policy function within DPMA. The Regulation and Policy Director will lead the identification, development and implementation of comprehensive regulations and policies that guide the sustainable and innovative growth of NEOM Authorities. The position will report directly to the Executive Director and Head of DPMA and work collaboratively with all offices within the department. The job holder will be responsible for leading all legal exercises including the identification and development of policies, guidelines and rules pertaining to DPMA. This will include for example license & permitting issuance, inspection, and enforcement to ensure proper regulations of how different Authorities provide their different services and deliver their Mandate.

The DPMA aims to be an Authority leader in providing best-in-class human-centric authority services. This will require establishing new norms in our authority services, by leveraging cognition, technology, and people advocacy to achieve a more livable and sustainable NEOM society. DPMA regulatory function will sit within the NEOM Authority and more specifically within the Department of Planning and Municipal Affairs. The role of the Regulation and Policy Director is integral to lead the development of a robust, future proofed framework for the regulation of DPMA Authority.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES

Key Accountabilities & Activities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop a long-term vision for DPMA's regulatory framework, ensuring alignment with NEOM's overall goals and objectives.

• Lead the department in conducting research and analysis to identify emerging trends in planning, development, and regulation.

• Advocate for best practices in municipal governance and ensure compliance with relevant national and international regulations.

• Set DPMA Regulatory performance objectives, KPIs & Targets and continuously monitor progress towards achieving them.

• Advise Head of DPMA on related issues that strategically impact NEOM Authority.

Regulatory Framework Development & Activation for all tiers including (Policy, Guidelines and Rules):

• Oversee the creation and implementation of effective regulations and policies related to all DPMA offices including planning, development, construction permitting, land use, registry, spatial data, codes and standards, municipal affairs, compliance and enforcement, and real estate and housing.

• Manage the review and revision of existing regulations and policies to ensure they remain current and address evolving needs.

• Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure all regulations and policies are legally sound and enforceable.

• Collect and assess latest developments/ amendments in laws and regulations and coordinate with the NEOM legal department to ensure that legal opinions are up to date with regulatory compliance.

• Conduct research and benchmarking activities to gather best practices, international standards, and relevant policies, laws, and regulations regarding all DPMA offices.

• Conduct workshops and awareness sessions to raise awareness on the proposed policy structure and regulatory framework with DPMA internal and external stakeholders.

• Identify, develop, and update needed policies pertaining to license & permit issuance, registration, Inspection & enforcement, to ensure alignment with Authority regulator only strategy and authority services.

• Develop policies, guidelines, and rules, that will regulate how different authority operators operate in the market and enable DPMA Offices to deliver their mandate.

• Measure the impact of implementing the proposed policies and revise accordingly to ensure alignment with NEOM & DPMA Vision.

• This must be done in line with any law, regulation, rules, and all relevant requirements that have already been set out.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders across all DPMA offices, as well as external stakeholders such as developers, investors, and the public.

• Lead public consultations and engagement processes related to proposed regulations and policies.

• Ensure clear and transparent communication of DPMA's regulations and policies to all stakeholders.

Regulatory Innovation:

• Explore and implement innovative regulatory approaches such as sandboxes and pilot programs to facilitate experimentation and encourage new ideas in all matters related to DPMA such as urban planning, development, and Municipal Affairs.

• Develop frameworks for managing potential risks associated with new technologies and approaches.

• Champion the use of data and technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of DPMA's regulatory functions.

Team Management:

• Provide leadership and direction to a team of professionals responsible for policy development, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement.