Chief Environmental Officer (CEO - Environment)

About the Organization

A leading national non-profit organization in Saudi Arabia focused on vegetation development, ecosystem restoration, and combating desertification. The organization plays a strategic role in advancing environmental sustainability initiatives aligned with national priorities.

Role Overview

The Chief Environmental Officer (CEvO) will serve as the senior executive responsible for shaping and leading the organization’s environmental strategy, programs, and impact. This role requires a visionary leader with deep technical expertise and strong execution capability to drive large-scale environmental initiatives across vegetation development, land restoration, and sustainability.

The CEvO will work closely with executive leadership and stakeholders to ensure alignment with national environmental priorities and long-term sustainability goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and lead the organization’s environmental vision, strategy, and long-term roadmap.
• Align environmental programs with national sustainability priorities and initiatives.
• Provide executive oversight across all environmental and restoration programs.

Program & Operational Oversight

• Oversee large-scale vegetation restoration, land rehabilitation, and sustainability programs.
• Ensure effective planning, execution, and performance of environmental initiatives.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and impact metrics.

Technical Authority

• Act as the organization’s subject matter authority in environmental science, restoration ecology, and desertification control.
• Review and approve scientific approaches, methodologies, and project frameworks.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Build and maintain relationships with government entities, international organizations, and research institutions.
• Represent the organization in high-level forums and environmental platforms.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to environmental regulations, standards, and best practices.
• Strengthen governance frameworks and reporting mechanisms.

Team Leadership

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of environmental experts and specialists.
• Drive a culture of performance, accountability, and innovation.

• Master’s or PhD in Environmental Science, Ecology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive experience in environmental leadership roles.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale environmental or sustainability programs.
• Experience working with government entities, NGOs, or international organizations is highly preferred.
• Strong track record in strategy development and execution.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and vision
• Executive leadership and decision-making
• Deep technical expertise in environmental systems
• Stakeholder influence and relationship management
• Program and performance management
• Change management and organizational leadership

Preferred Expertise Areas

• Vegetation development and restoration
• Desertification control
• Biodiversity conservation
• Climate change and sustainability
• Land and natural resource management

• Lead high-impact environmental initiatives at a national level
• Shape long-term sustainability outcomes
• Work with leading stakeholders and experts
• Opportunity to build and scale environmental programs