Sr. Manager, Planning Governance

OVERVIEW

Position

Sr. Manager, Planning Governance

Job Code

Reports to

Executive Director of Regional and Urban Planning

Direct Reports

Department

Urban Planning

Division/Sector

Planning & Municipal Affairs

Role Purpose

NEOM is developing a growing reputation for leading a bold vision of a New Future, an accelerator of human progress that will embody the future of innovation in business, livability, and sustainability. A need has arisen in the Planning Authority to appoint a Sr. Manager, Planning Governance. The candidate will have a background or experience in the interface between development and conservation, emphasizing conservation planning.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES

Key Responsibilities:

1. Participate in the Planning Policy Review process to refine the Planning Founding Law.
2. Participate in the finalization of the Planning Founding Law and the Draft Planning Regulations.
3. Create Master Plan and Regional Plan Governance systems in NEOM in a technically competent and collaborative manner.
4. Take a leading role in collaboration with the Planning Authority and NEOM Stakeholder teams to ensure aligned implementation of approved master plans and the vision of these respective master plans.
5. Ensure streamlined communication between the Planning Authority and Proponent(s) of the Master Plans.
6. Manage consultants in developing planning tools and strategic elements of the Planning Authority.
7. Lead the establishment and implementation of a digitalized planning management system and digital master plan interface with the Planning Authority.
8. Play a leading role in supporting and improving NEOM-wide awareness of available NEOM planning tools and guidelines.
9. Overall project management, including budget, program, quality control, technical management, and delivery.
10. An accomplished international background in the conceptualization, communication, management, and development of complex problems at a range of scales.
11. An experienced, strategically minded, and results-driven practitioner.
12. Proven team management skills and experience in a diverse cultural environment.
13. An inclusive leader with an effective operating style dealing with diversity.
14. A resourceful, articulate, and clear communicator with the ability to influence others.

BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Knowledge or experience in the following conservation zoning and management objectives is required:

1. Special Management Zones: provide tailored and adaptive management approaches for smaller areas that require protection of unique species, sensitive habitats, critical ecological processes, high-value ecological communities, sensitive heritage sites, or to allow management of specific development activities, natural resources, or space uses.

2. Wilderness Zones & Marine Sanctuary Zones: provide stringent protective management strategies to preserve sensitive species, habitats, and ecological processes with minimal human impact. They allow for limited visitation, education, and research.

3. Wilderness Buffer Zones & Marine Sanctuary Buffer Zones: provide low-disturbance zones and habitat buffers, protecting sensitive environments from development impacts and supporting wildlife movement and ecological processes while allowing for visitation and enjoyment.

4. Conservation Zones: form the core of NEOM’s Conservation Land, providing for a balance of tourism and conservation objectives while protecting natural ecosystems and ecological processes, including rare species and critical habitats.

5. Activation Zones: provide areas that can accommodate high visitation, strategically channeling visitors into focal activation areas that support engaging nature-based tourism experiences while protecting natural values.

6. Nature Positive Zones: promote the sustainable use of natural resources and nature conservation outcomes in positive synergy with other activities such as rewilding, regreening, and landscape restoration.

The candidate is also expected to have a sound knowledge of the IUCN policies and frameworks which support the conservation goals within NEOM.

Qualifications