Senior Manager Agricultural Projects

Summary

We are seeking an experienced, result-driven senior manager, who will drive the development and execution of large agricultural projects as part of the NEOM Agriculture team.  These projects aim at developing covered and open field production to deliver against food security and financial targets of the agriculture business unit within the NEOM Food Company.  The successful candidate will work jointly with our technical experts, our asset development and business partners in order to lead the development of pilot and commercial programs.  He/she will have a strong track record in the development of productive agricultural infrastructure at scale, strong project management skills and the ability to operate in a complex environment in compliance with rigorous guidelines.  The senior manager agricultural projects will need a pioneering spirit, team orientation, strong work ethics and the ability to thrive at NEOM as part of a revolutionary project to develop agriculture sustainably in the desert.

Position description and responsibilities

Introduction

NEOM’s aims at providing opportunities for people to live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives, while sustainably using the natural resources they depend on. NEOM works to transform ideas into policy, policy into action, and action into impact. NEOM uses its technical knowledge and experience, passionate staff, local presence, and global influence to make a lasting difference in people’s livability especially in desert like conditions in a world facing climate change.

The Climate Resilient Agriculture Business Unit within the NEOM Food Company focuses on Sustainable Production of fruit, vegetable and other crops.  Our strategy aims to improve Food and Nutrition Security and Mitigate Climate Change. The senior manager agricultural development will lead the development of covered and open field production infrastructure to deliver against our agriculture strategy in line with our production, sustainability, innovation and financial targets.

Position description and responsibilities   

• Support our agricultural strategy to phase agricultural development against production and financial targets
• Lead the development and execution of large agriculture projects to produce crops under covered conditions - low to high tech infrastructure – and/or in open field.
• Organize all necessary planning, technical and financial and deliver against asset development milestones
• Ensure flawless project management in seamless coordination with the asset development team, technical and financial pillars
• Define and deliver operational models in coordination with the business development and financial teams
• Ensure the development of appropriate partnerships in coordination with the business development team
• Ensure execution of operational model in coordination with operational partners against delivery milestones
• Ensure communication with higher management on progress in asset development and operational performance
• Organize procurement for all necessary support resources in a timely manner
• Plan and execute seamlessly with asset development partners as per protocols defined in the NEOM plan of work

Knowledge and Experience

• 15+ years of experience in agricultural development
• A proven track record in the delivery of large agricultural assets
• Experience in developing and/or operating agricultural enterprises to produce fruit and vegetable in covered and open field conditions
• Experience with technical and financial planning and execution, from business case to delivering against production and financial targets
• Track record in team management
• Strong technical background in agriculture
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail, rigor, strong work ethics and result orientation
• Ability to work seamlessly with diverse teams to deliver against targets
• Fluent English (speaking and written)
• Knowledge of Arabic not required but is a plus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business management and/or horticulture, plant science