Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Location: United Arab Emirates

Employment Type: Full-time / Part-time

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and results-driven Head of Operations to lead and oversee the organization's day-to-day operational activities and drive operational excellence.

The successful candidate will provide senior leadership across operations, develop and implement operational strategies, optimize processes and resources, manage performance, and ensure that business activities are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in line with organizational objectives.

The role requires strong leadership, commercial awareness, operational expertise, financial understanding, and the ability to manage multiple teams, functions, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction across all operational functions.
• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Oversee daily business operations and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Establish operational policies, procedures, standards, and performance measures.
• Lead and manage operational teams across multiple departments or locations.
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and performance targets.
• Monitor operational costs, budgets, productivity, and profitability.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase operational performance.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, operational dashboards, and performance metrics.
• Analyze operational performance and provide regular reports to senior management.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation and contingency plans.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.
• Manage relationships with key clients, suppliers, vendors, contractors, and strategic partners.
• Oversee procurement, facilities, logistics, administration, and other operational functions where applicable.
• Coordinate closely with Finance, HR, Sales, Technology, Legal, and other business functions.
• Lead operational transformation, process-improvement, and automation initiatives.
• Standardize processes and establish best practices across the organization.
• Ensure appropriate resource planning and workforce allocation.
• Manage organizational capacity, staffing requirements, and operational workloads.
• Support business expansion, new-market entry, and new-service implementation.
• Resolve complex operational issues and escalate critical matters appropriately.
• Develop business continuity, disaster-recovery, and operational contingency plans.
• Monitor customer and stakeholder satisfaction and implement service improvements.
• Ensure effective implementation of change-management initiatives.
• Lead operational reviews, management meetings, and performance-review sessions.
• Develop and mentor managers and operational teams.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Areas of Responsibility

Experience managing some or all of the following areas is preferred:

• Business operations
• Operational strategy
• Service delivery
• Process optimization
• Performance management
• Budget and cost management
• Workforce planning
• Supply chain and logistics
• Procurement
• Facilities management
• Vendor and supplier management
• Customer operations
• Quality management
• Risk and compliance
• Business continuity
• Digital transformation
• Operational automation
• Shared services
• Multi-site operations
• Business expansion

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head of Operations, Operations Director, Operations Manager, General Manager, or similar senior leadership position.
• Significant experience managing complex business operations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operational efficiency, productivity, service quality, and profitability.
• Strong strategic planning and execution capabilities.
• Excellent leadership and people-management skills.
• Strong financial and commercial understanding.
• Experience managing budgets, operational costs, and business performance.
• Strong KPI, SLA, and performance-management experience.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively under pressure.
• Experience implementing process improvements and operational transformation.
• Strong negotiation and vendor-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with senior executives and key stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and compliance.
• Results-oriented leadership style with a strong focus on measurable outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Management, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree or MBA is an advantage.
• Significant senior-level operational-management experience.
• Experience managing large teams, multiple departments, or geographically distributed operations.
• Experience managing substantial operating budgets.
• Experience with ERP, CRM, business-management, or operational systems.
• Experience in process improvement, operational excellence, or transformation initiatives.
• International or regional management experience is an advantage.
• Experience within the UAE or GCC market is preferred.
• Professional certifications in operations, project management, supply chain, quality, or business management are advantageous.

What We Offer

• Senior operational leadership opportunity in the UAE
• Flexible full-time or part-time employment options.
• Competitive compensation package.
• Performance-based incentives where applicable.
• Opportunity to lead major operational initiatives.
• Exposure to regional and international business operations.
• Professional and collaborative working environment.
• Leadership and career-development opportunities.
• Direct exposure to senior executives and strategic stakeholders.
• Training and professional-development opportunities.
• Opportunity to build a strong professional network across multiple industries and sectors.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced operations leader with a strong track record of managing teams, improving operational performance, controlling costs, and delivering measurable business outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and include details of your:

• Senior operations-management experience
• Departments, locations, and teams managed
• Operating budgets and financial responsibilities
• Major operational improvements delivered
• KPI and performance-management experience
• Process optimization and automation initiatives
• Vendor, supplier, and contractor-management experience
• Business continuity and risk-management experience
• Industries and organizations worked with
• UAE or GCC market experience
• Relevant professional qualifications and certifications