Job Description: Manager – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Division: Real Estate

1. Job Details

• Position Title: Manager – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Reports to: TBC

• Department: TBC

• Grade: TBC

2. Position Summary

The Manager – Corporate Social Responsibility is accountable for driving CSR , converting the CSR Policy and CSR Committee mandate into a governed, measurable engine for social value. The role is the day-to-day owner of the CSR Strategy, the annual CSR Plan and the CSR Operating Model spanning identification, management review, due diligence, approvals, implementation, monitoring, social impact measurement and closure.

The role embeds social value into how it develops, leases and operates communities — connecting community investment, social inclusion, Emiratisation, employee volunteering, responsible business practice and the social pillar of ESG to the Group’s four sustainability pillars: Our Organisation, Our People, Our Environment and Our Communities.

The role provides executive support to the CSR Committee, chaired by the Chief Real Estate Officer, ensuring initiatives are strategically focused, properly governed, transparent, auditable and capable of delivering meaningful and measurable social, economic and community outcomes aligned to UAE national priorities.

3. Job Dimensions

• Direct Reports: N/A

• Total Reports: N/A

• Budget Accountability: Custodian of the annual Group CSR budget; monitors commitments and disbursements against approved plan.

• Geographic Scope: Group and all subsidiaries.

4. Key Responsibilities and Performance Standards

A. CSR Strategy, Policy & Governance

• Translate the CSR Committee-endorsed ambitions into a long-term CSR Strategy, annual CSR Plan and rolling roadmap aligned to  corporate strategy, corporate values and sustainability goals.

• Own, maintain and periodically refresh the CSR Policy, CSR Operating Model, Proposal Form, Due Diligence Checklist, Volunteer Framework and Annual CSR Report Template.

• Act as day-to-day custodian of the CSR agenda across the Group and its subsidiaries, driving consistency between corporate and subsidiary programmes.

B. CSR Committee & Secretariat Support

• Serve as the executive engine of the CSR Committee, supporting the Chair (CREO) in delivering the annual work plan.

• Prepare Committee agendas, papers, initiative business cases, performance reports and supporting documentation, circulated at least five working days prior to each meeting.

• Maintain the CSR action tracker, decision log, approvals register and CSR records in line with document retention requirements.

• Coordinate the CSR Working Group, assigning stakeholders, tracking deliverables and ensuring cross-functional collaboration.

C. CSR Lifecycle Delivery

• Operate the eight-phase CSR lifecycle end to end: Identify ? Review ? Due Diligence ? Approve ? Implement ? Monitor ? Measure Impact ? Close.

• Phase 1 – Identify: Source and qualify initiatives from business units, employees, community requests, government entities, charities, ESG commitments and national priorities; ensure proposal, budget estimate, impact assessment, risk assessment and stakeholder analysis are complete.

• Phase 2 – Review: Assess strategic alignment, community need, social impact, affordability, risk, compliance and sustainability.

• Phase 3 – Due Diligence: Coordinate beneficiary verification, charity registration checks, conflict-of-interest assessment, sanctions screening, AML review, and financial and legal review with Compliance, Finance and Legal.

• Phase 4 – Approve: Route initiatives through the correct tier — Tier 1 Department Director, Tier 2 CSR Committee, Tier 3 Executive Committee — and ensure Delegation of Authority compliance.

• Phases 5–8: Establish project plans, resources and budget controls; monitor milestones, beneficiaries, budget utilisation, volunteering and risk; measure social and ESG outcomes; and prepare post-implementation review, benefits-realisation and financial closure reports for CSR Committee endorsement.

D. Responsible Business Practices & Risk

• Ensure all CSR initiatives are consistent with the Code of Conduct, corporate values and applicable regulation.

• Identify, assess and mitigate ethical, reputational, legal, financial and compliance risks arising from CSR activity; escalate material risks to the CSR Committee.

• Maintain full auditability of CSR decisions, approvals, disbursements and beneficiary records to withstand internal and external audit scrutiny.

• Uphold transparency, accountability and integrity in the execution of all CSR programmes.

E. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Develop and manage relationships with government entities, regulators, charitable and non-profit organisations, educational institutions, community groups and delivery partners.

• Negotiate and administer MoUs, partnership agreements and sponsorship contracts with Legal and Procurement, with defined governance, milestones and reputational safeguards.

• Represent at community forums, government initiatives and industry events.

F. Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Define, baseline, target and track CSR KPIs.

• Produce monthly and/or quarterly performance reporting on milestones, beneficiaries, budget utilisation, volunteering, risks and ESG outcomes, and the Annual CSR Report and social impact assessment.

• Ensure documented evidence exists to support every reported achievement and disclosure.

G. Budget & Resource Management

• Compile the annual CSR budget for CSR Committee recommendation and submission into normal corporate budgeting cycle.

• Monitor commitments, accruals and disbursements against approved budget; report variances and escalate potential overspend.

• Ensure value for money and probity in the selection of delivery partners, in line with Procurement policy and the Delegation of Authority.

5. Communications and Working Relationships

Internal

• CSR Committee (Chair – CREO; members)

• CSR Working Group

• Business Excellence & Risk Management

• Human Resources (Emiratisation, volunteering, engagement)

• MarCom & Customer Experience

• Finance (budget, disbursements, SROI)

• Legal, Compliance & Governance

• Internal Audit

• ESG, sustainability and social impact advisors

• Procurement

• Real Estate Development, Projects & Project Commercial

• Asset Management Services & Solutions

• Property Management, Leasing & Customer Service

• Hospitality and subsidiaries

External

• Government of Dubai entities and regulators

• Community Development Authority and social sector bodies

• Registered charities and non-profit organisations

• Educational institutions and national development programmes

• Community groups, residents and tenant associations

• Assurance providers and external auditors

• Contractors, consultants, operators and suppliers

• Media, industry bodies and event partners

6. Selection Criteria

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Public Policy, Communications or a related field is essential.

• Master’s degree in Sustainability, CSR, Public Policy or Business Administration is desirable.

• Professional certification such as GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, IEMA, CFA Certificate in ESG Investing, Social Value / SROI Practitioner or LEED / Estidama credentials is desirable.

• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2 or Agile) is desirable.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in CSR, sustainability, social impact, community investment or corporate affairs, including at least 3 years leading a CSR or social impact programme.

• Demonstrable experience in real estate, master development, construction, hospitality, infrastructure or another asset-intensive sector is preferred.

• Proven track record of designing and delivering multi-year community investment programmes with measured, evidenced outcomes.

• Experience supporting a board-level or executive committee, including preparation of papers, minutes, action trackers and decision logs.

• Experience managing partnerships with government entities, charities and educational institutions within the UAE / GCC is preferred.

• Experience preparing CSR, sustainability or ESG disclosures against recognised frameworks.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of CSR and ESG frameworks and standards — GRI, ISSB / IFRS S1–S2, UN SDGs, ISO 26000 — and of social value and SROI measurement methodologies.

• Understanding of UAE social priorities, Dubai Government agenda, Emiratisation requirements and the local charitable and regulatory landscape.

• Sound grasp of governance, delegation of authority, due diligence, AML, sanctions screening and conflict-of-interest controls as applied to donations and sponsorships.

• Budget management, business case development and benefits-realisation tracking.

• KPI definition, baselining, target setting and performance reporting; strong data analysis and dashboard literacy.

• Familiarity with sustainable building and community standards (LEED, Estidama, WELL, Al Sa’fat) as they relate to social outcomes — desirable.

• Advanced PowerPoint, Word and Excel; executive-grade written and visual communication.

• Bilingual English and Arabic is desirable.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic thinking with the discipline to convert ambition into governed, measurable delivery.

• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills across executive, government and community audiences.

• High personal integrity, sound judgement and comfort operating under audit and public scrutiny.

• Strong programme and risk management capability; able to manage competing priorities to tight deadlines.

• Collaborative, culturally sensitive and credible as an ambassador in the community.