The Business Planning Director at Abu Dhabi Ports will be working with key corporate units such as GRC, Finance, IT, HSSE, and Cluster units, develop a standardized matrix of business procedures and processes, and suites of key applications (ERP, CRM, TOS etc.) substantially ready for local configuration and rapid go live for each implementation project. The Director of Business Planning and Process will then lead on creating a business process implementation strategy for each project, including specifying the local organization structure, procuring necessary inputs from local supply chains, adapting standard documents for each local project, training and go-live plan, and handholding or performance monitoring to the point where each project is established.

Duties of Business Planning Director

Core Responsibilities

• Develop a strategy for rapid set-up of ADPG standardized business management processes and software applications in multiple international locations.
• Design an organization structure to include in the team the necessary specialists to achieve the business process unit goals and strategy and recruit same.
• Work with group departments (IO, HSE, Digital, GRC, Finance, Legal) to create standardized documents and partially configured applications with agreed processes/plans for configuration the off-the-shelf applications, procedures and processes for local adaptation and implementation, training and stabilization.
• For each implementation project, develop a project plan for rapid adaptation and stand-up of procedures, processes, and software applications.
• Prep of the in-country organization chart/JDs covering the specialist areas of governance, Process mapping, change management.
• Identification of in-country supply chain needs and potential suppliers.
• Adaptation of standard governance, procedure, policies and processes for the local project.
• Training plan for locally recruited personnel in business processes, procedures, processes.
• Definition of targets/metrics relating to implementation process, data-capture and reporting on progress.
• Lead plan execution.
• To include working in-country to drive procedure and systems set-up.
• Proactive liaison with key 3rd parties in country (tax, customs, customers, suppliers) to ensure business procedures strategic design meets local regulatory requirements and customer service expectations.
• Decision making and accountability re procurement of necessary inputs.
• Provide advice and input to local permanent team on workflows to set up business procedures and processes.
• Drive problem solving on integration/adaptation and non-standard issues, including bridging between local and ADPG corporate teams.
• Maintain momentum on training and confidence building to achieve early maturity of the local teams on business procedures and process.
• Develop structured reporting on progress of procedure/systems implementation.
• Identify lessons learned in order to improve and standardize implementation process.

People Management Responsibilities

• As a key leader in a business exhibit a decisive, confident and accountable leadership for rapid and effective implementation in line with business plan.
• Develop an appropriately sized team to meet business objectives and manage the dedicated.
• HR Implementation team.
• Act as interim Director of Business Planning and Process within any in-country operation (expected org size of 200-1000 people).

Eligibility Requirements

The requirements for role of Business Planning Director are as under:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 15 years of experience with relevant field / industry.
• Proven experience in Business Process Design, mapping and implementation, development of well-structured procedure and policy documentation.
• Proven Experience in writing user-specifications in relation to IT systems/software applications.

Skills & Knowledge Desired

• In-depth knowledge of the international ports and logistics industry, terms of trade, customs practices, and regulatory frameworks across various international markets.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully overseeing international change management and integration of acquisitions.
• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities with a track record of successfully managing and developing high-performing teams in multicultural environments, fostering inclusivity and leveraging diverse perspectives.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze complex interlocking software systems, frameworks, accounting processes, human and cultural difference, prevention of fraud/principles of good governance.
• Ability to develop them into actionable insights and recommendations.

Project Director Abu Dhabi Ports UAE