Director, Strategy & Transformation

About the Company

SUMWON STUDIOS is a global brand platform that creates, scales and refreshes culturally relevant fashion, lifestyle and consumer labels. Its portfolio includes MISSGUIDED, SUMWON, BALR, Baby Phat, Playboy, AiiRZ, KiZN and KSTM.

In a short span, the company has expanded from an early-stage startup into one of the fastest-growing brand groups in the market. It combines creative thinking, data, technology and a flexible supply chain to build brands that are suited to the digital-first economy.

The business works where culture, commerce and innovation meet. It launches new brands, acquires established ones and pursues growth opportunities across its portfolio with speed, global ambition and a willingness to challenge traditional ways of operating.

Role Overview

This position is not a conventional Chief of Staff appointment. Its main purpose is to amplify the CEO and leadership team by improving the speed, quality and impact of decisions and execution across the organisation.

The role spans the full business, contributing to strategy development while making sure critical initiatives are delivered. The person in this role will run transformation programmes, strengthen organisational effectiveness, promote AI and automation adoption, and own major strategic projects.

The ideal candidate will pair strategic judgment with strong delivery discipline. The company is looking for someone who has built, scaled and transformed businesses from the inside, rather than a career consultant.

This role is intended for someone who could grow into a future GM, COO or CEO role.

CEO Office and Strategic Execution

• Work directly with the CEO on the organisation’s highest-priority initiatives.
• Convert strategy into concrete plans, clear ownership and measurable results.
• Oversee the delivery of strategic work across all departments.
• Track business performance and surface risks, constraints and growth opportunities.
• Serve as a reliable strategic partner and advisor to the CEO.
• Independently manage major initiatives with limited supervision.

AI, Technology and Business Transformation

• Identify, rank and roll out AI, automation and technology initiatives across the business.
• Work with functional leaders to redesign processes and operating models through technology.
• Deliver improvements in productivity, speed, quality and cost efficiency.
• Assess new technologies and spot opportunities to build competitive advantage.
• Foster a workplace culture focused on innovation, testing and continuous improvement.

Organisational Effectiveness

• Own company-wide OKRs, governance structures and accountability systems.
• Strengthen decision-making processes and the organisation’s operating cadence.
• Help the business scale effectively as teams, brands and markets expand.
• Support leadership teams in defining organisational structure, accountabilities and working methods.
• Simplify complexity and improve collaboration across functions.

Strategic Projects and Corporate Development

• Lead high-priority assignments on behalf of the CEO.
• Support acquisitions, partnerships, geographic expansion and new ventures.
• Coordinate due diligence, integration planning and execution work.
• Create business cases, strategic recommendations and implementation roadmaps.

Internal and Corporate Communications

• Help communicate strategic priorities and transformation programmes across the company.
• Support alignment around business goals and organisational change.
• Assist with investor, board, media and external stakeholder communications when needed.
• Prepare executive decks, board packs and strategic progress updates.

Talent and Leadership Support

• Support organisational development and leadership capability initiatives.
• Identify skill gaps and opportunities to strengthen the team.
• Partner with senior leaders to improve team performance and effectiveness.
• Contribute to succession planning and leadership pipeline development.

What You’ll Bring

• At least 5 years of experience in strategy, consulting, private equity, venture capital, technology, e-commerce, consumer or other high-growth environments.
• Preference for candidates who have both advised businesses and worked inside operating businesses.
• Proven experience delivering complex initiatives that cut across multiple functions.
• Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving ability.
• Sound commercial judgment and broad business understanding.
• Experience leading transformation, technology or AI initiatives is strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, plus strong stakeholder management.
• Capability to influence senior leaders and align diverse interests.
• Comfort working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial settings.
• Very strong organisation and execution discipline.

What We’ll Offer

• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days after the first year.
• 30% employee discount across SUMWON STUDIOS brands.
• Continuous learning and development support.
• Company social events.
• The chance to work with a high-performing team building brands at global scale.

Why Join

This is an opportunity to join a business in growth mode, where you can make a visible impact, take ownership, move quickly and help shape the future of a multi-brand platform operating across global markets.

Additional Information

Location: Dubai, UAE.