Transformation Manager | Majid Al Futtaim

A well-known and well-reputed Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is looking for an experienced, skilled, competent, mature, qualified, creative, and intelligent candidate with significant knowledge and relevant working experience for the position of  “Transformation Manager”.

Role Purpose:

The Manager – Transformation is responsible for facilitating the execution of Majid Al Futtaim Retail’s strategic priorities as an independent transformation enabler, managing strategic, cross-country/ cross-functional programs and projects.

The role holder is also responsible for identifying short-term improvement and long-term value creation opportunities, generating a positive impact and change at all levels of the organization, in close collaboration with the transformation and leadership teams at corporate and country levels to drive and achieve strategic priorities.

Role Details – Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Strategy Planning

• Collaborate with the Strategic Planning team to develop and continuously enhance the strategy and operating plans of Majid Al Futtaim Retail’s functions and countries

Strategy Implementation

• Translate the strategic plan into actionable and quantitative execution agenda to design and define the transformation strategy in alignment with MAF Retail’s overall business strategy
• Define and assess the readiness of strategic programs and cross-cutting initiatives ensuring that they are set up for success in line with MAF Retail’s priorities, including the identification of programs and projects that are required to deliver on targets, in collaboration with the transformation teams at both corporate and country level
• Manage global/local transformational programs and projects; identifying and structuring problems; analyzing root causes; developing and recommending solutions; mitigating identified risks, while managing a complex stakeholder landscape in collaboration with corporate and country functional points of contact (POCs)/teams as per the agenda initiative
• Design and develop execution tools enabling the programs/ projects to be delivered following a clear methodology in partnership with corporate and country functional leads, cascading from functions, countries and up to store levels, as applicable
• Define effective and sustainable delivery milestones of strategic transformational programs, maintaining high standards of program management, enabling and sharing best practices

Performance Management

• Contribute to the transformation agenda definition according to strategic priorities and targets
• Manage the performance reviews of the transformational programs and respective impact with the Retail Executive Committee (REC) and MAF Holding
• Develop relevant program/project-specific metrics, scorecards, risks and issues analyses to report on progress and impact on a continuous basis to the leadership teams
• Prepare CEO/board-level reports on performance progress of relevant programs and initiatives
• Contribute to (bi)-annual corporate reviews against strategic priorities, to ensure effective capital allocations and inform on strategy updates to both MAF Retail and MAF Holding leadership teams

Transformation Office Capability Development

• Identify and contribute to the development of best practices across the organization, capturing learnings from within as well as externally by staying abreast of the industry and the competition, and prepare monthly/quarterly updates to the community
• Develop standards and best practices of program and project management to achieve consistency of delivery and solving for challenges faced throughout design and execution
• Promote a team culture of high performance, innovation, collaboration, agility and continuous improvement, as well instilling ownership and accountability

Coordination and Communication

• Manage cross-functional initiatives and ensure on-time delivery with high level of accuracy
• Ensure regular information exchange with all relevant stakeholders and update them on the development progress across projects
• Build relationships and maintain strong partnerships with key personnel to help achieve organisational goals
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure clarity of the specifications and expectations of the Strategy & Transformation Office

Audit and Reporting

• Contribute to the development of presentations on Strategy & Transformation in key areas of the business and communicate results across the organisation
• Responsible for the preparation of business presentations and reports related to Strategy & Transformation Office for various stakeholders, on periodic and ad hoc basis as and when required
• Perform regular audit of various processes for the Strategy & Transformation Office in order to identify gaps and risks, and propose corrective actions

Financial Responsibilities

• Contribute to the financial planning, so that capital allocation is aligned with the strategic choices and priorities, hand in hand with relevant functions
• Together with the functional leading function, monitor allocated budget to ensure compliance and highlight possible issues

Human Capital Responsibilities

• Assist with the implementation of the performance management process by setting objectives, monitoring performance, and provide constructive feedback and provide inputs to senior management
• Provide mentorship for the purpose of developing a continuous talent pipeline for key roles
• Provide inputs on training needs and coordinate with the HC department to ensure facilitation of training requirements
• Develop and implement on the job-training for the team
• Provide inputs for the development of annual manpower plan
• Ensure the implementation of MAF Retail’s corporate policies and relevant procedures

Definition of Success

• Senior leadership engaged in strategy execution with short and long-term strategic priorities and targets clearly defined
• Established an effective governance mechanism with leadership and project sponsors to review progress and take corrective actions of the strategic transformational programs
• Achievement of the strategic goals and targets defined as part of the roadmap
• Strategic transformational programs and projects delivered to the quality standards according the Strategy & Transformation’s best practices

Other Context (if applicable):

· Periodic travel across portfolio countries

Minimum Qualifications/education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Business Administration/Management or related role
• Master’s Degree is mandatory; a similar field is preferred

Minimum experience

• 7+ years in a multi-national and large corporate environment and/ or top-tier consultancy
• 3+ years in omni-channel retail environment/industry preferred

Skills

• In-depth experience in program and project management, strategy planning and business development
• Experience in one or more of the following functions: Commercial (assortment, pricing, supplier negotiation etc.), Digital (e-commerce), Marketing, Human Resources, Operational Excellence, Sustainability and New Business Development
• Proven ability to lead programs and projects, ability to build strong relationships and manage stakeholder dynamics
• Strong analytical mindset for structured problem solving, structuring complex problems and potential solutions
• Collaborative, professional maturity, sound judgment and executive presence
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams
• Excellent story-teller to communicate complex matter simply and achieve buy-in
• Strong business communication and presentation skills with proven experience managing executive-level communications
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload
• Strong English and Arabic language skills (Speaking, Reading and Writing) with exceptional business writing
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)