Director - Corporate Strategy

Dubai World Trade Centre

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy and Corporate Development

• Support development of the long-term strategy and 3-year corporate plans in alignment with DWTC Vision/Mission by providing input and insight related to Strategy Office portfolio
• Assess dynamic changes in the competitive landscape relevant to Strategy Office scope and monitor sectors and market segments within the portfolio by understanding key growth drivers by products/services and markets, USP and positioning across the multiple business lines share of market, influence points, penetration and value chain structure, etc.
• Prioritize areas within the Strategy Office portfolio that allow for alternative expansion strategies and present strong cases for capital investment in line with overall corporate objectives
• Manage in-house strategy related services for Business Units by: (a) Acting as the key liaison across Strategy Office portfolio on all aspects of the organization's development priorities from growth agenda and operational streamlining to risk exposure and mitigation & (b) Conducting brainstorming workshops for problem solving and/or generating and testing hypothesis on key areas for growth or process efficiency, overall corporate alignment, etc.

Corporate Planning and Performance Management

• Provide Strategy Office-related input and insight into setting of annual corporate strategic priorities and goals and performance target setting and metrics for assessment for the year (i.e., Performance Contracts)
• Provide Strategy Office-related input and insight into quarterly reviews of Corporate Performance to ensure focused delivery of corporate objectives
• Provide transparency across projects critical to Corporate Performance by tracking and reporting on progress and identifying and escalating issues for Strategy Office-related projects driven from Corporate Strategy

New Business Development

• Identify new growth opportunities within and related to existing core businesses, as well as new efficiency and effectiveness opportunities within DWTC s support services
• Elaborate business plans and feasibility studies for new ventures new markets (geographies), product/service expansion and/or spin-offs and acquisitions with proposed implementation plans via potential partnerships, etc.
• Work closely with Business Unit Heads and Finance to stress-test business growth and corporate efficiency opportunities and present recommendations aligned with strategic vision to the CEO and Board of Directors
• Drive formation and implementation of select projects from idea to operational kick-off, including securing resources, engaging partners, developing concept and piloting
• Hand over projects to core Business Units and Support Services at right level of maturity in a structured and enabling method to ensure future sustained success
• Accelerate Business Unit and Support Service-driven project delivery by acting as an activist Project Management Office track and report on progress, identify issues and support their resolution, challenge project content /

Organizational Management, Leadership and People Development

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with senior management and working level members across front line and corporate support service units showcasing an ability to work effectively, gain credibility and respect of others, lead and negotiate with/persuade others - positively influence outcomes/ drive decisions from the team
• Promote quality & excellence across the entire organization
• Liaise with external consultants (when needed) supporting with internal workshops; with Senior Management across corporate operations (IT, Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement) and commercial units to aid in the roll out of operating plans to their senior teams and support the program management of multiple projects - including budgets, strategic direction, deliverables tracking and reporting on milestones and risks etc.

Operating Environment

The job is 100% office-based and there is minimal travel required. Occasionally, meetings outside the office may be required

Formal Education

Master s degree in business administration (minimum); Additional degree in Analytical Disciplines, Business, Economics or Statistics are an advantagestrong>

Skills & Knowledge

• Superior problem solving and analytical skills - ability to structure decision trees and develop a high-level assessment of situation-issues-solutions prior to in-depth data gathering and testing to validate hypotheses
• Leadership strengths and Ability to handle ambiguity: Has a high level of comfort and can adapt to evolving dynamics; Is capable of challenging assumptions, drive productive discussion and effective decisions
• Strong interpersonal skills : Relationship-builder/team player with ability to interface and manage expectations with executive level and working group members seamlessly
• Creativity & resourcefulness : Resourceful and tenacious in obtaining data and insights, Innovative in resolving issues while maintaining sensitivity to relationships
• Strong sense of ownership for department delivery : Highly dependable, Acute attention to detail, Pragmatic while maintaining a wider lens to deliver big-picture messages
• Tenacious and Enthusiastic : Can maintain the momentum and deliver consistent level of output on projects, manage retain engagement and morale through difficult programmes till the end
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (formal and informal presentations) tailored to large audiences and smaller one-to-one discussions - English Language proficiency (bi-lingual business Arabic skills are an advantage though not a requirement)
• Role models company values commitment to deliver to the highest standards, acts with integrity and practices complete transparency in actions and communications
• Proficient in use of MS Office, Strong PowerPoint presentation and Excel financial modelling skills, etc.