Director Corporate Strategy

About the Company and Role

Our client is a prominent conglomerate focused on real estate, construction, and the industrial sector, along with various other ventures. Each business operates independently, reporting on its own terms and timelines, which has led to challenges in consolidating group performance and capital allocation effectively. This position is vital to establish a unified strategic framework, governance standards, and performance discipline across the diverse portfolio, providing the Chairman and Board with a comprehensive view.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a group-wide strategy and performance monitoring function across multiple businesses with diverse operations.
• Create and maintain governance frameworks that enable consistent reporting and evaluation of strategy execution at the group level.
• Challenge and assess business unit performances objectively, ensuring alignment with group objectives.
• Evaluate investment and growth opportunities using a standardized return-on-investment framework applicable to disparate sectors.
• Maintain oversight on capital allocation decisions and contribute meaningfully to the overall group planning process.
• Engage with business leaders who are accustomed to autonomous operations to establish accountability and transparency.

Experience and Skills Required

• Proven track record of building or restructuring Group Strategy, Corporate Development, or Performance functions within diversified groups, holding companies, or investment platforms.
• Experience overseeing multiple business units rather than managing a single P&L responsibility.
• Background in real assets, preferably combining expertise in real estate and industrial sectors, with an understanding of differing return cycles.
• Familiarity with governance practices in GCC family-controlled groups, recognizing that these may deviate from conventional textbook models.
• Demonstrated executive maturity to manage relationships and conduct challenging conversations without direct line authority.

Additional Information

The initial phase of this role involves significant dialogue and negotiation, often dealing with resistant business units accustomed to independent governance and reporting. Candidates must be prepared to foster collaboration and impose performance disciplines sensitively but firmly.