Expert – Transaction Execution & CP Management

Role Overview

This position is responsible for coordinating complex transaction execution across multiple business and support functions, including Legal, Finance, BD/M&A, Engineering, Procurement, HR, Operations, Regional CEOs, Project Directors, external partners and advisors. The focus is on managing closing conditions, obligations, approvals, risks, dependencies, reporting, escalations and proof of completion so that value, timing, compliance and operational readiness are protected.

Key Responsibilities

The role covers transaction close management, cross-functional coordination, governance tracking, and support for post-signing execution across assigned investments and transactions.

• Take ownership of the execution plan for assigned post-Gate 3 IO transactions, including the CP register, accountability matrix, critical path, governance rhythm, dependency map, decision log, issue log, approval tracker and reporting pack.
• Drive the completion and closure of CPs across legal, finance, tax, funding, commercial, operational, technical, HR, regulatory, government/stakeholder, procurement, asset delivery and partner streams.
• Convert signed transaction documents, concession agreements, Heads of Terms, funding agreements, Board/IC approvals, due diligence outputs and negotiated commitments into clear actions, milestones, owners, deliverables and evidence requirements.
• Set up and manage transaction execution working groups and CP taskforces, making sure each owner has defined deliverables, deadlines, dependencies and escalation paths.
• Keep a live dashboard for CPs and transaction close status, tracking progress, delays, blockers, risks, critical path shifts, decision needs, documentation status and readiness for close or handover.
• Push decisions and unblock issues by escalating material risks, timeline slippages, commercial variances, partner dependencies and approval delays to PPMO leadership, Project Directors, Regional CEOs and other sponsors.
• Work with Legal teams to follow through on final document completion, regulatory filings, waivers, extensions, side letters, closing deliverables and tracking of contractual obligations.
• Partner with Finance, Treasury, Tax and Funding teams to monitor bankability requirements, financial close conditions, investment assumptions, payment conditions, tax actions, model sensitivities and funding approvals.
• Coordinate with Operations, Clusters, HR, HSE, Digital and Regional teams to embed ramp-up needs, operating model readiness, systems and process prerequisites, P&L ownership, local entity setup and handover readiness into the CP plan.
• Align with Engineering, Procurement and Asset Delivery teams so CPs and deal commitments are synchronized with capex planning, tendering, construction or equipment schedules, supplier obligations and mobilization requirements.
• Ensure governance gates, transaction completion criteria and handover documentation are fully prepared, auditable and consistent with IO PPMO frameworks before moving into execution or operations.
• Document lessons learned, typical CP timelines, recurring blockers, close benchmarks and document requirements to strengthen future BD structuring, due diligence assumptions and implementation planning.

People Management

• Guide, coach and develop Transaction Execution Specialists, Coordinators and other assigned resources supporting CP tracking, document control, reporting and follow-up.
• Bring together cross-functional CP taskforces through influence, structured governance and clear accountability, even when resources are outside direct reporting lines.
• Set expectations for deliverables, deadlines, escalation rules and quality standards across transaction workstreams, and ensure disciplined follow-through.
• Build transaction execution capability within the PPMO by creating templates, playbooks, close checklists, CP trackers, standard report formats and knowledge repositories.
• Encourage a high-performance, collaborative and commercially minded culture across multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.

Strategic Contribution

• Provide feasibility, timing, risk, dependency and implementation-readiness input to BD/M&A during late-stage structuring and Gate 3 preparation.
• Strengthen the link between Business Development and Operations by ensuring closing commitments, conditions and transition requirements are executable and aligned with the receiving operating model.
• Improve portfolio visibility by identifying recurring execution risks, inter-project dependencies, value leakage exposures and decision bottlenecks across the IO portfolio.
• Recommend enhancements to close governance, CP standardization, partner interfaces, escalation methods and executive reporting to speed up value realization.
• Support IO leadership in preserving strategic value, timeline discipline, governance compliance and stakeholder confidence across international investments and major transactions.

Qualifications

A relevant bachelor’s degree is required in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, Engineering, Project Management, Logistics, Maritime Studies or a similar field. A master’s degree or MBA is preferred. Professional certification in Project Management such as PMP, PRINCE2, PgMP or an equivalent qualification is highly desirable. Additional background or certification in transaction advisory, M&A, infrastructure/PPP, corporate finance, risk management or legal project management is an added advantage.

Experience

The role requires at least 10–12+ years of progressive experience in transaction execution, project/program management, consulting, corporate development, infrastructure investments, M&A/JV execution, PMO or portfolio management. The preferred profile includes 10–12 years overall with at least 5 years spent managing complex multi-workstream transactions, closing conditions or post-signing execution. Experience in transaction completion, CP satisfaction, post-signing implementation, financial and contractual close, and handover to implementation teams is important.

Strong exposure to acquisition, joint venture, concession, PPP, strategic partnership, greenfield/brownfield investment and international expansion structures is expected. Background in consulting, Big 4, transaction advisory, infrastructure advisory, corporate finance, in-house M&A/corporate development or strategic PMO roles is strongly preferred. Experience in ports, maritime, logistics, infrastructure, transport, industrial zones, terminals or other asset-heavy international projects is highly desirable.

Skills and Knowledge

• Advanced transaction close and post-signing execution management
• Cross-functional stakeholder coordination
• Project and program governance
• Critical path and dependency tracking
• Risk, issue and decision management
• Commercial and contractual interpretation
• Executive reporting and dashboarding
• Financial, legal and operational alignment
• Negotiation follow-through and closeout discipline
• Influence without direct authority
• Analytical judgment and structured problem-solving
• Multicultural communication and stakeholder management

Language Requirements

English must be fluent, both written and spoken, with the ability to prepare executive reports, decision papers and transaction status updates. Arabic is highly desirable, and additional international market languages are considered an advantage.

About the Organization

AD Ports Group is a global player that has grown through organic expansion and partnerships into an integrated enabler of trade, industrialization and economic diversification. Established by Emiri Decree and owned by ADQ, the group supports major sectors of Abu Dhabi’s economy through a diversified portfolio.

The organization focuses on building strong trade and logistics solutions and operates across five clusters: Digital, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime and Ports, connecting global shipping routes and international trading partners.

The company offers career growth opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities through internal advancement programs, enabling both horizontal and vertical progression. It is also the first organization in the Middle East to receive the Investors in People (IIP) Platinum accreditation.