Summary
Introduction
In a world increasingly challenged by pressing global issues—such as environmental sustainability, rapid population growth, urban densification, clean energy needs, emerging technologies, and evolving forms of mobility and living—our built environment must evolve to meet these demands. To face these societal challenges, we need innovative solutions that can redefine the way we build, live, and move through urban spaces. All of this necessitates powerful science-based analysis which produces innovative solutions to improve ways in which we live and work in urban environments.
The Director of Innovation and Urban Tech is a strategic position within NEOM Urban Planning that demands a wide range of transversal skills, knowledge, and capabilities to drive innovation and technological advancements. This role requires transversal understanding of the disciplines of architecture, urban planning, technology, innovation and related fields, with a particular focus on applying technology to enhance both the urban, natural and human scales.
The Urban Innovation and Technology Manager will be responsible for identifying and developing new applications with innovative technologies such as biomaterials, artificial Intelligence or nanotechnology, which will be essential to meet the demands of a project such as NEOM. Their aim should be to create innovative and technology-driven solutions that improve livability, enhance resource efficiency, and foster sustainable environments.
Both strategic and practical, hands-on leadership are key requirements, as the director will need to lead cross-functional teams with a clear and inspiring vision. They must have the ability to manage and drive these teams toward innovative outcomes, while also being adept at engaging a broad range of stakeholders within NEOM Urban Planning and sectors and beyond. Strong problem-solving skills are necessary to address complex urban challenges, foresee potential issues, and implement effective and customized solutions. The Director must stay ahead, and indeed help drive, emerging trends and new developments in urban technology, scientific/academic output as relates to urbanism and architecture.
Ultimately, the Director of Innovation and Urban Tech, will play a vital role in shaping strategies that redefine the interface between technology, urban life and people. The Director’s practical, actionable vision will help make NEOM urban development smarter, more efficient, and more humane, ensuring that technological advancements positively impact urban living and contribute to a better quality of life for all.
Position description and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Lead the Urban Technology and Innovation teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for urban technology and innovation that aligns with NEOM’s overall objectives and long-term vision.
- Work closely with the Executive Director of Urban Planning and other senior leaders to integrate urban technology strategies into NEOM's broader urban planning framework.
Technology and Innovation Development:
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize emerging technologies and innovations that have the potential to enhance urban development, sustainability, and the quality of life in NEOM.
- Oversee the design, development, and deployment of innovative urban technology solutions, ensuring they are scalable and adaptable to the evolving needs of NEOM's urban landscape.
Partnerships and Collaboration:
- Establish and manage strategic partnerships with technology companies, research institutions, startups, and other relevant entities to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of urban technologies.
- Represent NEOM at industry conferences, forums, and events to promote its vision and foster relationships with key stakeholders in the urban tech ecosystem.
- Collaborate with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and other external partners to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Project and Resource Management:
- Oversee the design and implementation of pilot projects to test new urban technology solutions, ensuring rigorous evaluation and continuous refinement.
- Manage the budget and resources of the Urban Technology and Innovation teams, ensuring optimal allocation and utilization to meet strategic goals.
- Monitor and report on the progress, outcomes, and impact of urban technology initiatives to the Executive Director of Urban Planning and other key stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Domain Knowledge
- Urban Planning/ Architecture and Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Understanding urban planning principles and the challenges faced by cities, with its implications within the architecture field.
- Urban Technology: Understanding of technology-driven solutions that enhance livability and human-centric urban development.
- Sustainability: Knowledge of sustainable development practices and technologies.
Technical Knowledge:
- Urban Technology: Deep understanding of the impact of emerging technologies such as IoT, intelligent urban applications, AI, urban tech within the built environment
- Data Analytics: understanding of impact of urban data collection, analysis, and visualization to inform decision-making.
- Technology Integration: Ability to integrate various technologies into existing urban and public (positive technology).
Experience:
- Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in a leadership role within urban technology, innovation management, or a related field in either public or private sectors.
- Proven track record in developing and implementing technology strategies in an urban context, with a focus on innovation, livability, wellbeing, mobility and so on.
- Extensive experience in managing complex technology projects, from concept to execution, including pilot testing, scaling, and integration.
- Strong understanding of emerging technologies and their applications in urban environments.
Overall Skills:
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and lead diverse teams towards a common vision.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions that align with organizational objectives.
- Strong project management skills, with experience in budgeting, resource allocation, and performance monitoring.
- Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with external entities, including tech companies, research institutions, startups, and government bodies.
- Deep knowledge of relevant regulations, standards, and best practices related to urban technology.
Interpersonal Skills
- Leadership: Inspiring and motivating teams to achieve innovation goals.
- Communication: Effectively communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Collaboration: Fostering collaboration between diverse stakeholders, including sectors, businesses, and large communities within and outside of NEOM
- Problem-Solving: Creative problem-solving abilities to address challenges in urban environments.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Technology, Innovation Management, Engineering, or the ability to demonstrate sufficient experience in these sectors, or a related field; or an advanced degree (Master's, MBA or Ph.D.) is preferred.
- In addition to these core competencies, a Director of Innovation, Urban Tech should also be passionate about driving positive change in cities and have a strong entrepreneurial vision to bring solutions to market.
