ESIA Lead, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (Director Level)

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Website ERM

Job Overview: ESIA Lead (Director Level) – KSA

This is a high-profile, Director-level leadership position at ERM (Environmental Resources Management), the world’s leading sustainability consultancy. As the ESIA Lead for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), you will be at the forefront of the region’s “Giga-project” era, overseeing the Environmental & Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) that underpin the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 transformations. This role is a strategic blend of high-level technical advisory, multi-stakeholder diplomacy, and aggressive business development. You will act as the “Technical Guardian” of international standards (IFC/Equator Principles), ensuring that massive infrastructure and energy projects are both ecologically sound and “bankable” for international lenders.

Key Information

  • Employer: ERM (Environmental Resources Management)

  • Location: Based in Dubai, UAE (with frequent travel/focus on Saudi Arabia)

  • Level: Director / Senior Leadership

  • Sector: Sustainability / Infrastructure / Energy / Giga-Projects

  • Core Standards: IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, Saudi National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) regulations.

Key Responsibilities

You will lead the Middle East’s impact assessment practice with a focus on KSA:

  • Strategic ESIA Delivery: Overseeing the end-to-end preparation and delivery of complex ESIAs for massive energy, real estate, and industrial developments.

  • International Standards Advisory: Acting as a subject matter expert on IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles, guiding clients on how to meet the rigorous environmental and social requirements of international lenders.

  • Business Development & Growth: Identifying market opportunities, winning major tenders, and expanding ERM’s footprint in the Saudi market through strategic client networking.

  • Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement: Navigating the interface between government stakeholders, private developers, and international financiers to secure environmental permits and project financing.

  • Technical Excellence: Managing multidisciplinary teams of scientists and social specialists to ensure “bankable” E&S performance across all project phases.

  • Mentorship: Building regional capability by mentoring junior consultants and shaping the technical standards of the Middle East team.

Candidate Requirements

ERM seeks a seasoned consultant with a “Director-level” presence and deep regional insight:

  • Academic Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Sustainability.

  • Technical Mastery: Proven track record in ESIA methodologies, socio-economic baseline studies, and project risk management.

  • Standards Expertise: Demonstrated experience applying IFC and Equator Principles to major, multi-million dollar infrastructure projects.

  • Commercial Acumen: A clear history of winning work, managing significant revenue streams, and maintaining C-suite client relationships.

  • Regional Context: Extensive experience in the Middle East (specifically KSA/GCC) and familiarity with Saudi regulatory processes (NCEC).

  • Communication: Exceptional ability to present complex E&S risks to senior stakeholders, government officials, and investment boards.

Salary and Benefits

ERM offers a package reflective of a top-tier global director position:

  • Monthly Salary (Est.): AED 55,000 – AED 75,000 (Tax-free, depending on commercial track record and KSA expertise).

  • Incentives: Performance-related bonuses based on regional growth and business development targets.

  • Regional Impact: A platform to influence the environmental and social legacy of the world’s most ambitious construction projects.

  • Professional Growth: Leadership within a global firm with a deep commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB).

  • Relocation/Travel: Comprehensive support for travel within the GCC and a dynamic, supportive work environment.

Market Context: Estimated Average Salaries

In the KSA/UAE sustainability sector, “Director of ESIA” is one of the most critical hires for consultancy firms in 2026:

Role Category Monthly Base (AED) Context
Senior ESIA Consultant 25,000 – 35,000 Technical Lead
ESIA Director / Lead (ERM) 55,000 – 75,000 Regional P&L / Business Dev
Partner (Sustainability) 90,000 – 120,000+ Global Equity / Strategy

Unique Job Description

Position: ESIA Lead (Director Level) — Architect of Saudi Arabia’s Sustainable Legacy

Are you a “Sustainability Visionary” capable of aligning the world’s most ambitious projects with the highest global standards? ERM is seeking an ESIA Lead (KSA) to join our Middle East leadership team. We don’t just conduct assessments; we engineer the “Environmental and Social DNA” of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This isn’t just a director role; it’s a mission for a “Trusted Advisor”—someone who can navigate the complex intersection of Saudi regulatory speed and international lender requirements with absolute technical authority.

In this position, you are the face of ERM’s impact practice in the region. You will spend your days (and time on-site in KSA) transforming abstract infrastructure plans into “bankable” assets. Whether you are advising a giga-project developer on IFC Performance Standards, leading a multidisciplinary team through a complex baseline study, or winning a landmark energy proposal, your “technical grit” and “commercial acumen” will be our greatest assets. You thrive in a environment where you can mentor the next generation of specialists while shaping the very future of how environmental performance is measured in the Middle East.

We are looking for a proactive professional with a Master’s degree and a proven track record of “winning and delivering” in the Saudi market. If you have the “interpersonal skills” to influence government stakeholders and the “analytical depth” to manage multi-stakeholder risks, ERM offers you a world-class platform to lead. Join us in Dubai and Riyadh, and let’s engineer a more sustainable future for the Middle East together.

ERM (Environmental Resources Management), Dubai

The Company

ERM is the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, operating as a critical strategic partner for organizations navigating the “Green Transition.” With over 50 years of experience, the firm provides end-to-end solutions in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) , decarbonization, and operational risk. In the UAE, ERM has a 20-year track record, recently doubling down on its Middle Eastern presence by opening a new flagship office in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM (2025/2026) to complement its long-standing Dubai operations. The company is a key architect for regional energy diversification, helping major oil and gas, mining, and tech entities align with the “UAE Net Zero 2050” strategic initiative.

Culture

The culture at ERM is defined by the mantra “Sustainability is Our Business.” It is a purpose-driven, highly technical environment that values ​​”Impact over Deliverables.” Employees operate within a global network of 8,000+ experts, fostering a collaborative and multicultural atmosphere. The internal spirit is characterized by “High-Velocity Engineering” and a commitment to professional growth through the “ERM Academy.” While the work is intellectually rigorous and metric-focused (particularly around billable hours and technical accuracy), it is deeply rewarding for those passionate about solving “invisible risks”—complex environmental and social challenges that impact long-term enterprise value.

Location

While ERM has recently expanded into the Addax Tower on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi , its Dubai presence remains a vital hub for the Northern Emirates. The firm strategically operates from high-spec business corridors—often utilizing the Dubai Internet City or Dubai Media City ecosystems—to stay close to its technology and financial services clients. This dual-city approach allows ERM to be physically integrated into the UAE’s two primary economic centers, ensuring its consultants can provide rapid on-site environmental audits and strategic ESG advisory for the region’s largest sovereign wealth funds and industrial giants.

ERM: Strategic Service Pillars (UAE)

Vertical Regional Focus
Energy Transition Low-carbon hydrogen, renewables integration, and methane reduction.
Sustainable Finance ESG due diligence for M&A and outbound sovereign investment.
Capital Project Delivery Environmental & Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for infrastructure.
Operational Performance EHS (Environment, Health, & Safety) audits and digital transformation.
Liability Management Site investigation, remediation, and decommissioning strategies.

To apply for this job please visit www.erm.com.