Head of Strategic Planning

**Job Requisition ID**:165798

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

**Overview of the role**
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Strategic Planning & Core Business Transformation to join our team at Al Futtaim Automotive. This role is pivotal in driving excellence and exceeding expectations to enrich lives and aspirations every day. You will be responsible for co-developing and cascading detailed strategy and transformation plans, conducting comprehensive market analysis, and leading a team of Transformation Managers to deliver key strategic initiatives.

**What you will do**
- Facilitate the co-development and cascade of detailed strategy and transformation plans for all business units and functions
- Conduct comprehensive environmental scans, market analysis, and competitive assessments
- Translate strategic goals into clearly defined objectives, key results, projects, and processes
- Lead a team of Transformation Managers in delivering key cross-business and functional strategic transformation initiatives
- Accelerate delivery of change by acting as the interface between the strategy & transformation office, business unit management, and other central automotive functions
- Challenge entrenched ways of doing things to orchestrate major changes that maximize profitability and total customer lifetime value
- Track quality, ROI, and benefits realization for key strategic initiatives and address critical issues with required countermeasures
- Manage stakeholder engagement and embed the skills and tools required to deliver defined strategic objective

**Required skills to be successful**
- A Master's level education, preferably an MBA.
- 12+ years of professional experience in strategy and program delivery across various businesses
- Clear strategic thinking and ability to create buy-in and influence at the C-suite level
- Deep understanding of large-scale transformations

**About the team**
You will be part of the Strategy and Transformation Office within Al Futtaim Automotive, working closely with executive leadership and relevant stakeholders. Our team is dedicated to driving strategic initiatives that align with our long-term efficiency and revenue goals. We foster a collaborative environment where innovation and excellence are at the forefront of everything we do.

**What equips you for the role**
- Proven track record of success demonstrated through academic performance, promotions, and leadership roles.
- Commercial acumen and proficiency in financial statements.
- Strong managerial skills with the ability to direct and inspire teams to elevate performance.
- High attention to detail as well as big picture, strategic thinking.
- Ability to operate well under ambiguity and drive people towards an endpoint.
- Experience in building and implementing broad-scale, cross-enterprise initiatives.
- Ability to quickly master new topics across a wide range of areas and industries
- Strong understanding of business strategy formulation cycles and practices, specifically the balanced scorecard approach
- Senior management consultant experience with a strong background across various sectors, including auto and insurance

**About Al-Futtaim Automotive**
A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, **Al-Futtaim Automotive** is an industry leader with presence in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Our core business activities at Al-Futtaim Automotive include distribution, manufacturing, leasing and aftersales, and we are firmly established as the regional representative of some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Volvo and RAM.
We are driven by a customer-centric approach, constantly pushing the boundaries on innovation, quality standards, and value-added service across our vast universe of customers - right from motoring enthusiasts to fleet operators to contractors. Our mission is to become the leader in custom-made mobility solutions by delivering nothing less than world-class omni-channel experiences.
We channel our local expertise and global trust to deliver