Vice President – Sustainability

Job Description

Department Definition<p><br></p><p>The Sustainability Division of Expo City Dubai has been tasked with the aim of developing, implementing, and assuring, against a range of sustainable initiatives towards a Net Zero 2030 Vision. Following on from the recent successes of Expo 2020, the team will play a fundamental part in the drive towards a fully sustainable city, working alongside key internal stakeholders and subject matter consultants. The planning and delivery of COP 28 will provide the team an opportunity to put new frameworks, guidelines, and reporting in place for 2023, whilst the adoption of a new long-term strategy will help to shape a roadmap for sustainable future of the Site and organization.</p><p><br></p>Opportunity Responsibilities<p><br></p><p>The Vice President – Sustainability will be responsible to direct the Sustainability scope and team of Expo City Dubai, developing, implementing, and assuring, against a range of sustainable initiatives towards a Net Carbon Zero 2030 Vision. Lead a change programme of a newly established sustainability strategy, assuring against and reporting on the wider sustainable approach, whilst balancing the planning and delivery of COP 28 hosted at Expo City Dubai.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The main responsibilities for this role include</strong></p><p><strong>Strategic Responsibilities:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Be accountable for the design, development, and implementation of the Expo City Dubai Sustainability Strategy, including the roadmap to the Net Zero 2030 vision.</li><li>Direct, lead and line manage the internal Sustainability team of specialist and technical experts, and the contract management of a nominated Sustainability consultant.</li><li>Responsible for assuring against the various range of sustainable initiatives as implemented by Expo City teams e.g. community management, master developer, events and entertainment.</li><li>Lead the sustainable operations planning for COP 28 Climate Change Conference to be hosted at the Expo City Dubai Site. Integrate with other divisions of Expo City Dubai divisions.</li><li>Take on the lead spokesperson publicly for the sustainability drive of Expo City Dubai and work with strategic communications to ensure the positioning of the organisation, and any reactive messaging planned.</li><li>Assume the strategist of the team, ensuring initiatives have a cost/benefit analysis, and any legacy benefits are thoroughly analysed.</li><li>Manage upwards stakeholders and present to/influence C Suite level, leading meetings and coordinating buy in from departments.</li><li>Develop and implement the strategy to ensure compliance with ISO 20121, PAS 2060, and equivalent standards for sustainable operations.</li><li>Direct and complete carbon inventory, and necessary reporting requirements, aligned to a devised roadmap of net zero activities.</li><li>Develop and implement a reporting framework to ensure compliance with GRI reporting requirements, delegating to assigned team members to author and edit for timely completion.</li><li>Lead the development and implementation of the Expo 2020 carbon management strategy, whilst leveraging external consultation and subject matter expert involvement.</li><li>Ensure quality control and assurance on the key pillars of site development/community services, event management, and impact generation.</li><li>Direct the assurance of sustainable supply chain programme, and its operational application to suppliers, events and tenants on Site.</li><li>Drive an organization wide engagement program, to ensure buy in, prioritisation and uptake for the key sustainability schemes.</li><li>Align sustainability programmes to international and national frameworks, keeping up-to-date with the latest insights in sustainable development policies.</li><li>Report to Chief level to ensure the strategy is on track, and wider solutions are found to any unforeseen issues. Deputise for the Chief Sustainability, and be able to step up to the organisation strategic level consistently.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Operational Responsibilities:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Manage multiple sustainability initiatives simultaneously and regularly adapt to change as directed by the Expo City Dubai leadership.</li><li>Develop sustainable strategies, targets, and KPIs to be implemented in the lead up to, and during the operational phase of COP 28.</li><li>Oversee the performance of sustainability activities regularly, and ensure processes are in place for continuous improvement.</li><li>Manage the collection and analysis of relevant data and the production of GRI compliant reports, and other documentation e.g. RISE Guidelines</li><li>Remain abreast of latest developments and innovations within the sustainability sector and to evaluate their practical application for integration into the Expo City Dubai business model.</li><li>Lead stakeholder management and market engagement, looking to potential collaboration and showcase innovative opportunities.</li><li>Direct a sustainability education, communications, and awareness program for all internal and external activation activities.</li><li>Design &amp; develop all the necessary reporting templates and dashboards that will provide the required updates and insights to the leadership inc. CEO level for the progress of the Sustainability scope.</li><li>Lead the assurance of a sustainable site, integrating environmental targets, monitor operational performance (e.g. energy, water, waste etc.), and carry out future site compliance activities.</li><li>Drive the renewable energy and carbon strategies, implementing future energy solutions, working alongside master developer colleagues to implement low-carbon solutions.</li><li>Drive the implementation of Expo City’s circular economy initiative, overseeing activities and maintaining relationships with stakeholders to drive positive waste management performance.</li><li>Ensure consistent qualitative updates to policy, KPIs, and guidelines.</li><li>Work in consultation with the Portfolio Management Office (PMO) to ensure key risks are identified and mitigated, creative solutions found for escalated issues and any company reporting is fulfilled.</li><li>Ensure policies, processes, and procedures are aligned to the wider Expo City governance mechanism, and proactively engage in cross-functional buy-in.</li><li>Accountable for the consistent communication of sustainable across all work streams, aligning it to the wider Expo City strategic communications approach.</li><li>Accountable for all team procurement, and cyclical budgeting.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>People Responsibilities:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Overall line management responsibility and oversight for the Sustainability department.</li><li>Provide expertise strategic support to the sustainability team, and necessary guidance to members to ensure project success.</li><li>Lead the team responsibly and proficiently, providing effective line management to direct reports.</li><li>Work closely and flexibly with the team, with the ability to jump between diverse sustainability projects simultaneously.</li><li>Set objectives and evaluate performance of individual direct reports and actively manage key personnel issues.</li><li>Ensure that all staff acquire the required skills and knowledge through appropriate learning and sustainable development programs, and promote continuous improvement.</li><li>Embed the culture and vision of Expo City Dubai by role-modelling organisational behaviors through performance management, feedback and coaching.</li><li>Develop a culture of collaborative and transparent working.</li><li>Foster a creative ecosystem where individual strengths of the team are identified, developed and encouraged through a robust performance management framework.</li></ul><p><br></p>Skills<p><br></p><p>15+ years of professional experience, with at least 10 years of sustainability experience, which may include sustainable event management, corporate sustainability, equivalent Site/development as well as:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree and/or post graduate education in sustainability, sustainability leadership, environmental management, public policy, engineering, urban planning or related field.</li><li>Excellent technical knowledge and practical understanding of sustainability from an environmental, social, and economic perspective.</li><li>Ability to evaluate technical information and provide concise informed advice.</li><li>Development of Net Zero roadmaps and initiatives,</li><li>Strong interpersonal skills.</li><li>Ability to effectively manage key stakeholder and strategic partner engagements.</li><li>Ability to deal with complex market engagement and supply chain issues.</li><li>Ability to deal with social and environment policy issues affecting large scale and/or high-profile organisations.</li><li>Excellent attention to detail and report writing skills.</li><li>Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically at senior levels.</li><li>Advanced project management skills and ability to multi task on various initiatives concurrently.</li><li>Experience in working with high-impact teams from diverse cultures and specialized fields.</li></ul><p><br></p>