NEOM is a new vision of what the future could be. It’s an attempt to do something that’s never been done before and it’s coming at a time when the world needs fresh thinking and new solutions. Put simply, NEOM will not only be a destination, but a home for people who dream big and who want to be part of building a new model for sustainable living. NEOM will be a hub for innovation, where established global businesses and emerging players can research, incubate, and commercialize groundbreaking technologies to accelerate human progress.
Role Purpose:
The Capital Projects Director plays a critical role in NEOM's complex Capital Projects program, leveraging their extensive technical expertise and leadership skills to develop innovative audit approaches. Drawing on their deep subject matter knowledge in capital projects delivery, the Director establishes and nurtures relationships with key senior stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop and deliver Capital Projects risk and audit reporting and audits in an appropriate way for different NEOM audiences including to the Projects Team, Executive and Board
Engage with NEOM-wide stakeholders in preparation for Capital Projects Assurance Activity.
Ensure appropriate visibility of risks relating to Development Activity and Capital Projects is maintained across NEOM such that executives, managers and staff are sufficiently informed and able to act in support of objectives and the NEOM vision.
Develop and refine a Capital Projects Audit Approach and 3-year plan in conjunction with Projects Team and other relevant second line functions.
Perform the required Capital Projects audits of the organization leading NIA and/or co-source teams following both established department standards and the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Audit established by the IIA
Make comprehensive plans to carry out individual audit tasks, including determination of audit objectives, identifying major controls and risks, and creating the right audit program; make recommendation of required budget and staff to complete the project
Become an active member of the CIAO leadership team - taking an active role in the development of the team and being an ambassador for NIA across NEOM.
Take part in major Project Teams Leadership and Risk Forums – because a trusted advisor/critical friend of the Projects Team
Ensure NEOM has the ability to identify and manage emerging risks in respect of Capital Projects including risks that come out of or out to other sectors/teams.
Play a key role in the development of the NEOM IA function, capability and positioning across NEOM.
Key Accountabilities:
- Play a crucial role in formulating and executing organization-wide strategies. Work closely with other executive leaders to align departmental objectives with the overall NEOM and NIA business goals to achieve sustainable growth.
- Support the CIAO and AC to ensure that NIA achieves its vision to be a world-class audit function which operates efficiently and effectively.
- Actively develop and protect the reputation of NIA, creating a sense of pride and passion for the services it delivers.
- Maintain and enhance the capability of NIA to achieve its vision and objectives.
- Drive NIA corporate leadership through membership of the NIA Executive Team, and the provision of strategic direction, performance guidance, and leadership of NIA’s people.
- Role model NEOM Values demonstrating effective leadership to all, acting in ways that are highly visible, inspirational, and credible at the most senior levels across and outside of NIA.
- Quality check audit committee papers and present findings to the Chief Internal Audit Officer (CIAO) for areas relating to audit portfolio assigned, attending Audit Committee as required to co present.
- Ensure that emerging risks are proactively understood and reported to the audit leadership in a timely manner.
- Support the CIAO by performing any other related activities (e.g. special projects, department initiatives, due diligence, etc.) to provide additional assurance as and when required.
- Draft audit committee papers and present findings to the Chief Internal Audit Officer (CIAO) for areas relating to audit portfolio assigned, attending Audit Committee as required to co-present.
- Develop and drive relationships with key stakeholders, as a trusted risk advisor for CP across NEOM central functions, finance components, and Portfolio Companies.
- Ensure that NIA Executive are kept abreast of significant audit issues as and when they arise, and that audit findings and next steps are agreed with stakeholders before further circulation.
- Play a key leadership role in ensuring that NIA team perform effectively, achieving a culture where colleagues are motivated, developed, and empowered.
- Ensure that the team can demonstrate understanding of auditee perspectives, to “stand in their shoes” and be more aware of the challenges stakeholders face and demonstrate empathy and a pragmatic approach to how we deliver our audits.
- Exemplify a wide range of hard and soft skills, including but not limited to high attention to detail, technology, cost and schedule, financial and business acumen, and immense ethical integrity.
- Ensure effective investigation and thorough understanding of audit finding root causes, and their subsequent use as the basis for determining remediation activities and assessing effectiveness.
- Drive efficient and effective delivery of Internal Audit services and support activities at pace, maintaining the production of outputs when confronted by obstacles, delays, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
- Ensure that teams, partners, and stakeholders are focused on delivery requirements, managing expectations, removing blockers, and delivering on time and to expected quality.
- Ensure effective monitoring and management of timelines, milestones, and quality of audit deliverables with clear escalation criteria and processes, focusing on looking forward.
- Take ownership of the digital transformation efforts across NIA through the identification of the relevant areas of process optimization through technology and in line with NEOM digital transformation efforts and in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders.
- Collaborative engagement with NIA Directors and Executive to upskill teams and to drive efficiency and insight in audit delivery through application of technology.
- Demonstrate awareness and appropriate application of existing and emerging digital technologies, capabilities, practices, and strategies, and ensure possession of relevant digital skills across the team. standards of propriety, stewardship, risk management and accountability.
- Support assurance champions across NEOM so that robust internal controls and awareness of good corporate governance practices are embedded.
- Work with management in NEOM central functions, finance components, and Portfolio Companies teams to assess and develop continuous mitigation plans.
- Ensure participation in broader risk management activities and workshops so that assurance services across the second and third lines of defense are integrated and coordinated.
- Role model and foster work ethics and integrity across NIA team members and ensure compliance with sound corporate governance standards and policies. Play a crucial role in NIA KM and CX reporting efforts and lead the development and management of NIA’s Knowledge Assets and KM Cycle.
- Contribute to the preparation of a Knowledge and Customer-based strategy and implementation plan, and for creating, maintaining, and developing associated processes, and models.
- Ensure the effective management and implementation of content strategies to ensure that the right knowledge is available for and getting to the right people at the right time (and in the right way), including retention strategy and policy.
- Ensure the maximization of efficiency and avoid duplication of efforts and diversion of efforts/resources to non-priority tasks and/or areas.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Minimum twelve (12) years of progressive experience conducting internal audits, including minimum eight (8) years of experience directly managing audit staff, or a comparable combination of progressive experience in related Capital projects field.
- Strong experience and thorough knowledge of engineering, procurement, project controls, construction and commissioning including other project – related activities, their interfaces and interdependencies gained through professional services exposure or working with large multinational organization.
- An understanding around corporate functions; ETSD (central engineering and estimating), H&S, Environmental aspects, and Quality inspections/surveillance.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify control weaknesses and recommend practical solutions.
- Proven leadership abilities with the capability to manage and develop a team of auditors.
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels
Qualifications:
- Graduate Degree or master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Engineering, Business Administration, Law, Accounting, or a related discipline)
- Professional qualification in Internal Auditing and/or Certified Internal Audit (CIA), Chartered, Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA), and/or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an asset.
- Continuing Education in auditing, project management, technology and / or construction is required.
- Must become a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
