Director of Sustainability

Role Purpose - Director of Sustainability

Oversees the establishment of sustainability policy and standards, monitors and audits sustainability performance at multiple scales, and oversees a program for sustainable supply chain, resources management and safe end of life disposal:

Sustainability Policy, Standards and Procedures

Sustainability Code for the Built Environment (planning and developments)

Sustainable Supply Chain and Resources Management

Sustainability Reporting

Monitoring, Auditing and Improving Sustainability Performance

Division Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Readiness for Activation

Transition Planning

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIE

Sustainability Functions

Establish sustainability policy, standards and procedures for the built environment

Establish initial sustainable supply chain and resources management program

Establish sustainability reporting requirements and methods

Initiate stakeholder engagement to support transition

Achieve readiness for activation

Support Department-wide transition planning

1. Develop division strategy and end-state operating model for sustainability functions

Use global benchmarks to establish organizational design, required workforce targets, and operating model for end state

Oversee development of Division strategy for achieving regulatory mandates

Ensure end-state operating model is fully lean, highly relying on automation and outsourcing while ensuring collaboration across Authority departments

2. Drive readiness of all sustainability functions across 5 Criteria:

i) Regulatory instruments

Work with the Governance, Strategy & Policy Division and Legal Affairs on developing and finalizing sustainability regulations, policies and standards

Develop sustainability policies, standards, and technical guidelines

Provide expert content and collaborate with other departments/ teams to address dependencies

ii) Regulators (People)

Estimate headcount for Division requirements, including consideration of lean core staff while outsourcing possible functions and leveraging technology

Coordinate with HR and Office of the Department Head to identify human resource needs for the sustainability functions, migrating internally, or hiring externally

Update existing, and develop new, job descriptions for Division positions

Establish a high-functioning team to address key functions and build capacity for demonstrating readiness

iii) Operational assets and systems

Identify and procure/implement assets and systems required to execute on the Division functions and mandates (e.g., software tools, database and registries)

iv) Protocols and governance

Develop the governance and processes for the internal operating model of the Sustainability function, defining standard operating procedures

Support the development of processes for cross-department coordination

v) Stakeholder engagement and agreements

Identify areas where informal cooperation and/or formal agreements are needed to provide services in the interim period and identify segregation of duties for interim service delivery

Working with Office of the Head of Department, identify Base Economy entities and develop processes to communicate and liaise with key points of contact in the Base Economy for Division activities and actions

Working with Office of the Head of Department, plan for the transition from Base Economy roles to Authority

3. Develop/review and implement a transition plan to end-state for all sustainability functions

Ensure there is a phased transition plan for each Division function to reach the end-state model, using Vision principals: lean, efficient, and tech-enabled

Track and communicate progress

End-State Responsibilities

Sustainability Functions

Sustainability of the built environment

Sustainable supply chain and resources management

Sustainability reporting

Monitoring sustainability performance

Division management

Oversee Division operations and their implementation

Develop and manage a highly efficient and professional team

Support the Head of Department in securing and managing financial resources and capital assets

Support the Head of Department in building and maintaining a high-performance culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement

Support the Director of Government, Policy and Strategy and Head of Department in maximizing the role of the Sustainability Committee

As required, directly manage employees and/or projects

Work closely with department leadership to deliver on the sustainability mandate

Provide technical input and guidance to project teams when needed

Provide leadership and direction to advance sustainability programs, practices, and performance

Sustainability policy, standards and procedures

Lead the review and continual improvement of world-class regulatory framework that includes sustainability standards, policies and procedures

Assure effective and efficient sustainability assessment and permitting practices for developments and activities

Assure and expand sustainable supply chain policy and practices that support vision for sustainability, circularity and elimination of the concept of waste

As required, support the improvement of implementation of sustainability assessment, permitting and compliance with the Permitting and Compliance Division

Monitor external trends and developments, understand policy implications, and consider improvements

Drive innovation and market transformation

Sustainable supply chain and resources management

Establish, review, and improve regulatory instruments for sustainable supply chain including policies, standards, technical guidelines, procedures, and frameworks

Establish, review, and improve regulatory instruments for resource and waste management including policies, standards, technical guidelines, procedures, and frameworks

Establish, review, and improve regulatory instruments for hazardous materials and waste management including policies, standards, technical guidelines, procedures, and frameworks

Establish, review, and improve criteria and certification of a registry of managed and/or banned materials and products to meet regulatory requirements

Establish, review, and improve criteria and certification of a registry of managed suppliers/ service providers/ contractors to meet regulatory requirements

Assure alignment of compliance activities across Environment Authority

Drive market transition through carefully designed strategy and implementation

Support the transformation of construction supply chain and construction and demolition waste markets

Sustainability reporting

Develop, review, and improve sustainability reporting framework, standards, guidelines and procedures

Establish, review, and improve criteria for regulated entities requiring reporting on sustainability performance

Work with other divisions and departments to integrate sustainability reporting requirements (e.g., GHG Reporting)

Oversee the development, review, and improvement of necessary instruments to generate sustainability performance report and reports feeding into KSA reporting (e.g., UN SDGs)

Monitor, audit and improving sustainability performance

• Oversee the integration of sustainability values, policies, and practices into strategic planning processes
• Advise other divisions and departments on how to onboard sustainability policies and standards
• Monitor and report of the sustainability performance at multiple scales and provide recommendations for improvements
• Audit compliance assurance information of the Permitting and Compliance Division
• In collaboration with the Knowledge Management Division, develop performance monitoring and reporting tools and systems

Stakeholder engagement

• Build partnerships with the Base Economy on matters of sustainability where needed
• Represent in national and international engagements and conferences related to sustainability

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The Director, Sustainability should have a proven track record in developing and leading government departments, programs, and policies, with extensive public policy and technical networks in the fields of environment and/or sustainability. The candidate must have:

Minimum of 12-16 years experience in environment, sustainability, or conservation fields

At least 5-10 years experience in a senior managerial position in the public sector or consultancy advising the public sector

Experience working on major- or, preferably, mega-projects

Generally knowledgeable of diverse economic industries and infrastructure systems, development resilience to climate change, circular economies, design for well-being, and sustainability, planning, and design processes at the urban and building scale

Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and leadership in sustainability and/or supply chain best practices

Experience in construction and operation of large-scale industry is desirable

Experience in sustainable supply chain and/or procurement - especially for large construction projects and operations is desirable

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Demonstrated knowledge and credibility in the sector through board positions, speaking engagements, international/ national awards or published papers

Qualifications

MBA or MSC in sustainable urban planning, architecture, engineering, policy, procurement management, supply chain management, with a passion for sustainability and market transformation Accreditation under internationally recognized sustainability rating systems (e.g., LEED, BREEAM, WELL)