Manager: Strategy and Business Development

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

The Manager: Strategy and Business Development supports the Chief of Staff (CoS) with all activities related to the following:

1. Development, refinement, and implementation of strategy.

2. Strategic Business Development.

3. Special projects.

4. Project management and coordination.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager: Strategy and Business Development (MSBD) supports and assists the Chief of Staff (CoS) with a broad range of activities related to the effective management of the CEO – office, with a primary focus on the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Development, refinement, and implementation of strategy:

a. The development (as and when required) of an appropriate scope of work and Requests for Proposals (RfP’s) for the potential engagement of strategy and/ or other professional consultants/ advisors.

b. Assessment of proposals received from strategy and/ or other professional consultants/ advisors.

c. Negotiations with- and the engagement of- strategy and/ or other professional consultants/ advisors.

d. Effective process management of the overall engagement with the strategy and/ or other professional consultants/ advisors including internal coordination with relevant key stakeholders, effective data collection and appropriate information distribution.

e. Market and operating environment analysis – as may be required, including the analysis of peers/ competitors/ comparable organisations and appropriate benchmarking exercises.

f. Preparation of professional presentations and/ or proposals to facilitate the approval of strategy or similar initiatives and plans.

g. Managing the implementation of strategy - through effective coordination and monitoring of strategy implementation initiatives and related tasks, projects and milestones.

h. Providing guidance on strategy implementation to strategy initiative owners and seeking guidance from the CoS and/ or the CEO where appropriate and required.

i. Monitoring the effectiveness of the new strategy (including a comparison of actual results versus expected results and analysis of the operating and competitive environment) and recommending refinements and/ or changes in strategy.

j. Preparation of appropriate recommendations and coordination of the required approvals for strategy refinements and/ or changes.

k. Preparation of appropriate reports on the progress of strategy implementation.

l. Coordination with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that strategy is effectively implemented and/ or adjusted.

2. Strategic Business Development:

Assist the CoS (and the CEO &/ CIO &/ CBO where required) with strategic business development initiatives, including the following activities:

a. Desktop research for strategic business development – leading to the proactive identification of strategic new business development targets and/ or opportunities.

b. Conceptual strategic consideration of opportunities beyond what is contemplated in the current strategy – including an initial assessment of attractiveness, feasibility, and appropriateness/ relevance.

c. Recommendation of inclusion in the strategy of any opportunities not already identified in the currently approved strategy.

d. Devising and executing appropriate new business development plans and activities to contact and engage with identified targets - where appropriate in conjunction/ consultation with the appropriate BU heads (to avoid unnecessary/embarrassing duplication of effort etc.).

e. Engaging targets in strategic business development discussions – to explore areas of mutual interest.

f. Initial assessment and screening of opportunities – considering the attractiveness of opportunities and the fit of opportunities with our strategy and business.

g. Appropriate business development activities to implement opportunities and/ or develop the opportunity to a “bankability” level.

h. Appropriate handover to the appropriate BU – provided the required level of business development maturity has been reached.

3. Special projects:

Generally assisting the CoS and/ or the CEO with the planning, design, management, monitoring, or execution of any special projects – whether related to strategy, business development and/ or the general affairs of the organisation.

4. Project management and coordination:

Generally assisting the CoS and/ or the CEO with project management and coordination related to strategy and business development and/ or the general affairs of the organisation.

5. General:

Given the inherent nature and sensitivities associated with the primary role of the job (in terms of strategy and business development) and the general close proximity of the position to the CoS and the CEO, it is inevitable that the MSBD will be aware of and dealing with highly sensitive and confidential information.

It is, therefore, expected that the MSBD will be able to maintain strict confidentiality on highly confidential information and able to exercise sound and wise judgment in terms of the appropriate sharing of (relevant components) any sensitive information.

The MSBD should exercise due care in terms of using information only for the intended purpose – and should not be using information indiscriminately/ inappropriately. This includes not weaponizing and/ or hoarding information and/ or being unwilling to share information that may reasonably be required for the effective operations of the organisation.

Similarly, the responsibilities related to business development needs to be executed to add strategic value to the organisation and should be complimentary to (and not in competition with) the business development activities of the BU’s.

Skills

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

§ Qualifications. A relevant bachelors degree – preferably in business science, engineering, or law. Relevant academic subjects at the undergraduate level (i.e., Accounting, finance, economics, business economics – incl. strategy, mathematics, statistics, relevant engineering subjects, relevant law subjects, etc.). A relevant postgraduate qualification (i.e., honours or master’s degree) would be an added advantage, albeit not a prerequisite. A relevant professional qualification (CFA, CAIA, CA/ CPA, CMA, etc.) would be an advantage. The qualification/s should be from a reputable university.

§ Work experience. Relevant work experience of approximately 5 to 10 years, ideally in a similar role at a comparable organisation (incl. investment banking, private equity, venture capital, corporate banking/ specialised finance or other similar financial or relevant industrial energy-related institutions).

§ Relevant sectoral knowledge/ interest. A strong interest in and/ or a basic understanding of the energy sector, financial markets, principal investments, and structured/ project finance lending would be advantageous. Knowledge of these aspects in the MENA region would be a plus factor.

§ Analytical thinking. The ability to identify and analyze complex problems, develop appropriate and logical options and solutions, and recommend the best and most appropriate option (and to successfully implement and execute that option) is essential.

§ Problem-solving. The ability to proactively identify and solve problems and offer solutions, both independently and as part of a team.

§ Decision-making. The ability (and confidence) to make sound decisions based on analysis and evidence – and the confidence to make recommendations/ decisions without having perfect/ 100% complete information.

§ Communication. The ability to communicate effectively at all levels, whether formally, informally and verbally or in different forms of writing (including email, formal letters, memorandums, business proposals, presentations, etc.).

§ Management and Leadership. The candidate should display management and leadership skills at the appropriate level for the position.

§ Personality traits and personal profile. The personality traits and personal profile of the applicant should be suited for the nature of work.

Job Details Job Location Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Job Role Other Number of Vacancies 1 Preferred Candidate Career Level Management Years of Experience Min: 5