OVERVIEW
NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like. A region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, NEOM is being built from the ground up to include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports, next-generation infrastructure and industries, enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations.
As a destination, it will be a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.
As a workplace, it is a place for people who share our core values of care, curiosity, diversity, passion, respect, and becoming a catalyst for change.
Are you ready to help NEOM find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges? Are you prepared to create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come? Then we want to hear from you!
ROLE PURPOSE
The primary responsibility of this role is to oversee the strategic development and operational execution of NEOM Labs. This includes managing technology validation studies, contract research projects, and the support of companies establishing local R&D or production capabilities. The role also involves planning and designing laboratory facilities, from temporary pilot setups to permanent structures, ensuring technical specifications meet biotech R&D needs. Additionally, the position requires scoping R&D projects, developing protocols with partners, managing relationships, and facilitating technical validations to guarantee business sustainability and operational efficiency at NEOM Labs.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Planning and Design
Develop a scope of functions and capabilities provided, to include, but not be limited to:
- Technology validation studies
- Contract research projects
- Hosting of companies seeking to establish local R&D and / or production capabilities
- Support in planning and design of laboratory facilities, including temporary pilot facilities through to permanent assets. Cover the following competencies:
- Technical specifications of facilities, including spacing requirements and other infrastructure specific to biotech R&D
- Furniture, fixtures and fittings for wet laboratory
- Combination and placement of equipment and designated core laboratory elements
- Support development of a business model for NEOM Labs to ensure business sustainability.
Technical Implementation and Operations
- Scope out R&D projects for NEOM Labs and develop protocols in collaboration with external partners. Ensure ability to deliver technically with facilities and capabilities at NEOM Labs.
- Provide adequate staffing for R&D projects through hiring talent and facilitating training, either internally, or in collaboration with external partners.
- Support with development of Memorandum of Understanding agreements and ensure full execution of technical terms as relevant to NEOM Labs.
- Facilitate technical validation of the range of technologies being explored by entrepreneurs-in-residence and investment analysts. For validation studies, develop project scopes for the right “killer experiments”, ensuring relevant technical questions are answered in a prompt and succinct process.
- Ensure quality control processes are developed, maintained and adhered to.
- Ensure project deliverables are achieved in accordance with parameters set out within timeframes agreed with external partners.
Relationship and Stakeholder Management
- Manage relationships with technical counterparties in external partners to ensure adequate information is sourced / provided for research projects.
- Support the Sector in managing 3rd party partner / supplier relationships, take responsibility for entities involved in technical laboratory assessments / validation studies.
- Manage relationships internal to NEOM (e.g., NEOM Projects, Supply Chain & Logistics, Waste Management, etc.) to ensure effective communication and coordination.
Business Management
- Ensure accurate scoping and costing of projects, including space usage, consumables and staffing.
- Ensure accurate costing of design and build of NEOM Labs, working closely with the Asset Development team.
- Ensure NEOM Labs activities are adequately resourced by supporting hiring processes and outsourcing of activities where appropriate.
- Develop budgets for NEOM Labs and support Biotech Sector in preparing reports, including implementation progress and budgetary position.
- Manage resources allocated to NEOM Labs, and work with Biotech Sector Business & Operations team to maintain business operations of NEOM Labs (revenue and costs).
- Business Development
- Ensure that NEOM Labs actively acquires new customers (industry, startups, R&D Teams), both by establishing new R&D partnerships and by new contract research agreements, aligning with efforts made by other Sector Divisions (e.g., Industrial Development).
- Commercialize NEOM Labs technology throughout licensing or the creation of NEOM Labs Spinoffs.
Culture and Values
- Embrace NEOM’s culture and Values https://www.neom.com/en-us/about
- Act with honesty and integrity by following best practices, and upholding the robust standards and expectations set out in NEOM’s Code of Conduct.
- Maintain fair, ethical and professional work practices in accordance with NEOM’s Values and Code of Conduct.
- Adhere to NEOM’s Policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with rules
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- 7+ years of experience in a managerial role either at a contract research organisation, technology centre (not academic laboratory) OR a technology transfer role for a major global research institution.
- Demonstrated experience managing a team consisting of scientists and technicians.
- Demonstrated experience and ability to design highly variable technical projects and studies across life sciences sector at minimal cost, maximum impact.
- Experience of managing a portfolio of different clients to provide technical and research services, from corporates, academics and startups.
- Experience of working in top-tier global biotech hubs at globally renowned institutions.
Qualifications
- A PhD degree in science, biology, biotechnology (or equivalent) is required.
- Qualifications or accreditations in intellectual property for the life sciences sector is preferred.
- Demonstrated ongoing development of technical knowledge is required (e.g., CPD / short courses).
- Strong English proficiency (verbal and written) is required; Arabic is an advantage but not essential.
