Chief Executive Officer

Overview

We are hiring on behalf of a major defense organization based in Doha, Qatar. The Chief Executive Officer will provide strategic leadership for business growth, guide the company’s direction together with the Board of Directors, and oversee daily operations within the authority delegated by the Board and shareholders.

This role calls for an executive who can shape a strong organizational culture, lead the senior team with confidence, and maintain effective relationships with board members, employees, and other key stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

The CEO is expected to set the company’s long-term direction, turn strategy into measurable outcomes, and ensure the organization operates in line with its mission, policies, and legal obligations.

• Design and refine business strategies and plans that support both immediate priorities and long-range goals.
• Supervise all business functions and operations so they align with the company’s strategy and deliver the intended results.
• Approve and guide major investment decisions that strengthen growth and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, internal policies, and ethical standards.
• Assess the effect of medium- and long-term plans, new initiatives, and regulatory changes, then advise accordingly.
• Review financial and non-financial performance reports and identify practical improvement measures.
• Diagnose complex business issues and implement solutions that support continuity and growth.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the company’s market and broader industry landscape.
• Put effective systems, policies, and procedures in place to improve operational effectiveness.
• Ensure programmes are delivered on schedule, within budget, to required quality levels, and in line with customer expectations.
• Evaluate business risks and opportunities and take action to reduce exposure and strengthen performance.
• Set company targets and operating objectives while taking economic and other relevant conditions into account.
• Oversee financial matters with the Finance Director, including reporting and performance tracking.
• Build strong trust-based relationships with partners, stakeholders, and key shareholders.
• Inspire, direct, and support senior managers to strengthen engagement and create a high-performing leadership team.
• Promote a healthy, ethical workplace that attracts, retains, and motivates strong talent at every level.
• Champion integrity and ethical conduct in line with the company’s Code of Business Conduct.
• Create and maintain an organisational structure that supports growth, clear accountability, and smooth executive coordination.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality management standards across the organization.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring deep executive experience in defense or similarly complex, regulated environments, along with strong credibility in both public-sector and international business settings.

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Defense Studies, or a closely related field is preferred.
• At minimum, a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a hard-science discipline is strongly preferred.
• Must be eligible to secure and maintain the security clearances required by national authorities and the OEM partner.
• At least 8 years of executive leadership experience at Executive or CEO level in defense, security, aerospace, or advanced-technology sectors.
• Proven success in winning and delivering major defense programmes, including government, FMS, and direct-commercial contracts.
• Experience in a joint-venture environment involving a sovereign or strategic shareholder and a global defense OEM is highly desirable.
• Strong international business exposure, with the ability to work credibly with both government customers and global industrial partners.

Additional Leadership Capabilities

• Defense business development and capture management expertise.
• Defense-grade programme and operations management experience.
• Strong strategic planning ability and P&L leadership.
• Knowledge of governance, export controls, and compliance.
• Experience in industrial security and risk management.
• Financial understanding and capital allocation judgement.
• Diplomatic communication style with cross-cultural fluency.
• High discretion and sound judgement in sensitive environments.
• Strong relationship-building ability with government and stakeholder groups.
• Values-led leadership with unquestionable integrity.
• Ability to make decisive calls under pressure.
• Capacity to energize teams and build a high-performing management group.

Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality

The CEO will be responsible for ensuring that relevant HSE and quality controls are followed across the organization so that people are protected, responsible working practices are maintained, and products and services meet high standards.

Other Information

This opportunity is with a leading defense company in Doha, Qatar. No stipend or salary figures were provided in the source material.