Our client, a renowned international development company, is seeking a Social Performance Portfolio Director for one of his high-profile GCC client to oversee social development and community well-being projects. This is a five-year assignment based at the client’s site in Doha, Qatar with a potential to convert into a permanent role within the international development company.

Responsibilities

The candidate will:

Oversee the strategic development, implementation, and management of a portfolio of social performance initiatives for a high-profile client in the GCC.
Integrate sustainability, ethical practices, and community-focused strategies into strategic projects, ensuring they align with corporate goals and contribute to societal and environmental well-being.
Engage with internal and external stakeholders, build partnerships, and oversee contractor performance to ensure alignment with the company’s CSR objectives and broader social responsibility goals: environmental, ethical, philanthropic, and economic responsibility…
Effectively managing these relationships will ensure that all external parties contribute to the company’s broader social and environmental goals.
Lead a team, drive key partnerships, and work closely with executive leadership to align CSR initiatives with overall corporate goals and deliver impact.

Experience

·        A minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role within CSR, Social Performance, or a related field, with a proven track record of leading and managing impactful programs.
·        Experience managing a team and coordinating cross-functional collaboration to drive social responsibility objectives.
·        Excellent project management skills. Demonstrated track record of thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment, effectively managing multiple programs, contracts and clients simultaneously while paying close attention to detail and deadlines.
·        Experience in developing and managing large-scale social performance portfolios in both local and global contexts.
·        Experience working with senior executives to develop and align CSR strategies with corporate goals and business objectives.
·        Competent in balancing strategic direction with being transactional and delivering.
·        Experience in corporate foundations or large-scale social performance programs and initiatives aiming to improve social and environmental outcomes for communities is required. Experience in high-impact sectors such as energy, manufacturing, or retail is an advantage but not mandatory.
·        Progressive experience in leadership roles with corporate foundations, CSR boards, or ESG initiatives. Must have operational and programmatic leadership expertise in these domains ; i.e. analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Programmatic leaders should also be able to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and pay close attention to detail
·        Demonstrated awareness and understanding of local (including GCC-specific) and international CSR practices, with the ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts. Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
·        Strong understanding of CSR frameworks, sustainability reporting (e.g., GRI, SASB), and regulatory compliance in CSR and environmental performance.

Qualifications

·        A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Sustainability, Environmental Science, or related field. A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline is a plus.
·        Certification in CSR, ESG, or Sustainability (e.g., CSR-P (Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program), ISO 26000 Social responsibility, or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation) is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

·        Leadership: Ability to inspire and lead teams towards achieving CSR goals while maintaining a positive, inclusive, and results-driven work environment.
·        Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic mindset with the ability to develop long-term, sustainable social performance plans that align with company objectives.
·        Project Management: Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously while ensuring deadlines are met.
·        Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including community leaders, NGOs, governmental agencies, and employees. Exemplary integrity, sound judgement, and diplomatic skills in managing sensitive funding requests and stakeholder relationships.
·        Strong communication and presentation skills. Ability to influence to gain support through persuasive and culturally aware communication across organizational levels. Excellent written, verbal, event management and presentation skills.
·        Analytical Thinking: Proficiency in data analysis, impact measurement, and reporting of CSR outcomes to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
·        Problem-Solving: Ability to objectively analyse current practices, identify root cause problems and improvement opportunities, formulate a range of achievable options, and build consensus for a preferred solution.
·        Financial Acumen: Budget management experience, including allocation of resources for social projects and assessment of ROI for CSR programs.
·        Fluency in English (Arabic highly desirable).
·        Computer literacy (Microsoft Office and Google Suite; advanced Excel skills would be advantageous).
·        Familiarity with at least one data visualisation application would be advantageous (e.g. Google’s Looker Studio or Power BI)

If you believe you have the right skills and experience for this role, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to join a highly respected international development company, gain exposure to high-profile GCC clients, and drive meaningful impact in the region.

Type of contract: Full Time 5-year UK contract with potential for converting into a permanent role
Location: Doha
Package: Competitive
Relocation benefits: Available including housing
Travels: Yes
Visa sponsorship: Yes

CSR - Social Performance Portfolio Director, Doha, Qatar