Environment Specialist – Dewan Architects and Engineers (Saudi Arabia, On-site)

The Sustainability Grid; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Dewan Architects and Engineers is seeking an Environment Specialist to own environmental outcomes on active construction sites in Saudi Arabia. You will implement EMS aligned with ISO 14001:2015, develop management plans, and ensure compliance across all project phases.

With 15+ years in environmental management and GCC experience, you will lead inspections, audits, coordinate with clients and contractors, and train teams to embed sustainable practices while balancing project delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in environmental management, with 10+ years on construction or infrastructure projects.
• GCC region experience, especially Saudi Arabia, is highly valuable.
• Deep expertise in ISO 14001 EMS, environmental compliance, auditing, and risk assessment.
• Certifications such as LEED AP, Mostadam AP, or SITES AP strengthen the profile.
• Strong leadership, communication, and ability to influence decisions on site.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, monitor, and report on environmental performance across projects.
• Lead EMS deployment aligned with ISO 14001:2015 and develop management plans.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and compliance assessments to ensure regulatory adherence.
• Review contractor documentation and drive corrective actions to maintain standards.
• Coordinate with clients, contractors, consultants, and regulators; promote training and awareness.

Skills

Environmental management

Regulatory compliance

Auditing

Risk assessment

Leadership & communication

ISO 14001 EMS

Education

LEED AP

Mostadam AP

SITES AP

Job description

Environment Specialist – Dewan Architects and Engineers (Saudi Arabia, On-site)

salary – Not disclosed, typically aligned with senior environmental roles in the GCC construction sectorremote type – On-sitelocation – Saudi Arabiatime type – Full Timeexperience level – Senior Leadership (15+ years)

Salary Not disclosed, typically aligned with senior environmental roles in the GCC construction sector

Setting On-site location

About the Work Environment

This role operates at the intersection of construction intensity and environmental responsibility. The setting is active project sites where timelines are tight, stakeholders are numerous, and the margin for environmental error is extremely narrow. Rather than working in abstraction, you are positioned directly within the execution layer, where environmental risks must be identified, assessed, and controlled in real time. Every inspection, report, and intervention contributes to maintaining compliance and preventing long-term environmental impact.

What This Role Really Is

This position is fundamentally about ownership and control over environmental outcomes. You are not simply advising from the sidelines; you are responsible for ensuring that environmental standards are upheld consistently across all phases of construction. The role requires a balance of technical expertise and practical authority, as you will often need to challenge decisions, enforce compliance, and guide teams toward sustainable practices even under pressure. It is a function that transforms policy into action and ensures that sustainability commitments are realized on the ground.

What You’ll Do

The responsibilities of this role extend across planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. You will lead the deployment of Environmental Management Systems aligned with ISO 14001:2015, ensuring that structured processes are embedded within project operations. This includes developing Environmental Management Plans and Construction Environmental Management Plans that define how environmental risks are managed throughout the lifecycle of the project.

A significant portion of your work will involve conducting environmental inspections, audits, and compliance assessments. These activities are not routine formalities but critical checkpoints that ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and project-specific obligations. You will review contractor documentation, evaluate environmental performance metrics, and implement corrective actions where necessary to maintain compliance.

In addition, the role requires continuous coordination with a wide network of stakeholders, including clients, contractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities. You will act as the central point of alignment on environmental matters, ensuring that all parties operate within defined standards. Training and awareness also form a key component of the role, as you will be responsible for promoting best practices and embedding a culture of environmental responsibility across project teams.

What You Need

Success in this role is built on extensive experience and a strong technical foundation. A minimum of 15 years in environmental management is required, with at least 10 years focused on construction or infrastructure projects. Experience within the GCC region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, is highly valuable due to the regulatory landscape and project scale typical of the region.

You are expected to possess deep expertise in ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, environmental compliance frameworks, auditing procedures, and risk assessment methodologies. These competencies must be supported by the ability to apply them effectively in dynamic, real-world construction environments. Additional certifications such as LEED AP, Mostadam AP, or SITES AP further strengthen your profile and reflect a broader understanding of sustainability standards.

Equally important are leadership and communication skills. The ability to clearly convey environmental requirements, influence decision-making, and manage stakeholder expectations is critical in ensuring that environmental objectives are achieved without disrupting project progress.

Reality Check

This is a high-responsibility role that requires both resilience and decisiveness. Construction environments are driven by cost, speed, and delivery, and environmental priorities can sometimes be challenged by these pressures. In such situations, you are expected to uphold standards, enforce compliance, and make decisions that protect both the project and the environment. The role demands consistency, attention to detail, and the confidence to act when necessary, even in complex or high-pressure scenarios.

Why This Role Matters

The environmental impact of construction is significant, and without rigorous oversight, sustainability goals can quickly become secondary to operational demands. This role ensures that environmental considerations remain integral to project execution, safeguarding compliance and promoting responsible development. It is through positions like this that sustainability is translated from policy into measurable, real-world outcomes.

About the Company

Dewan Architects and Engineers is a leading consultancy known for delivering large-scale residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across the Middle East. The firm plays a significant role in shaping modern urban environments, working on developments that contribute to the evolving skyline of major cities. Being part of such an organization places you within high-profile projects where environmental performance is closely tied to both regulatory expectations and public visibility.