Chief Operating Officer

The opportunityA leading organisation in the GCC is launching a new strategic initiative and is looking for a founding COO to build it from the ground up. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role for a leader who enjoys turning an ambitious mandate into a fully functioning organisation, and then running it.Key responsibilitiesSet-up and governanceLead the establishment of the new entity, including legal set-up, licensing and registrationDesign the governance framework, delegations of authority, committees and board reportingDevelop and embed core policies across finance, HR, procurement, risk and complianceStrategy and performanceTranslate the founding mandate into a multi-year strategy, annual business plans and operating modelSet budgets, KPIs and performance scorecards, and report progress to senior leadershipBuild a sustainable funding and revenue model alongside core fundingOperationsStand up all operational functions: finance, HR, procurement, IT, facilities and legalSelect and manage key suppliers, advisors and outsourced partnersPut in place the systems, processes and controls needed to scale efficientlyPartnerships and stakeholdersBuild strategic partnerships with government, industry, academia and international organisationsSecure founding partners and manage long-term relationshipsAct as a senior representative at events, in the media and with high-level stakeholdersProgramme deliveryOversee the design and launch of the initiative’s core programmes and outputsEnsure quality, timelines and impact across all deliverablesLead the organisation through launch and its first phase of growthThe profile15+ years’ experience, with a track record of setting up or scaling an organisation, institution or function from scratchSenior leadership experience in areas such as think tanks, research or policy institutes, multilateral organisations, strategy consulting or public-sector bodiesA hands-on operator, comfortable in a lean, entrepreneurial environmentStrong senior stakeholder skills, executive presence and public-speaking abilityPostgraduate degree required; Arabic is an advantageWhat’s on offerA founding leadership role with significant scope and visibility, and a highly competitive tax-free package with family benefits.