Business Development and Strategy Director

Make a difference every day.
We are a multinational organisation with a global team of 50,000 colleagues. In the Middle East, we operate in the Transport, Defence & Advisory sectors, delivering services in Asset Management, Customer Experience, Fire & Rescue, and Air Navigation Services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services to fulfil our purpose to impact a better future by "Bringing National Visions to Life".

Your Opportunity
Join Us in Transforming the Future of Emergency Services, Defence, and Security in Abu Dhabi.

Serco Middle East, in partnership with our local joint venture partner, is leading an ambitious transformation in Abu Dhabi to establish a National Champion in Emergency Services, Risk, Resilience, Training, and Defence and Security Advisory. We’re assembling a top-tier management team to drive this mission, setting strategies, building operational capabilities, and executing sustainable growth across these critical sectors.

This is a unique and exciting chance to join a newly-formed team at the forefront of transforming the emergency services landscape. If you have the relevant experience and are ready to play a key role in this high-impact initiative, we want to hear from you!

The Business Development and Strategy Director will play a key role in establishing the growth and development strategy of the business. The role will involve identifying new business opportunities, building relationships with potential partners, and leading strategic initiatives to drive business growth and transformation.

The role has been established to spearhead the development of the growth function within the organisation to enable it to achieve its Mission of becoming the National Champion for Emergency Response, Risk, Resilience, and Defence Advisory and achieve a AED2bn turnover. This will ensure that the company is competitive and adapts to changes in the emergency response and defence industries. This will involve strategic planning, innovation in service delivery, and enhancement of bidding, solutions, and proposal practices. The Business Development and Strategy Director will build a team that becomes a highly effective growth function.

The hiring for this role is subject to contract award.

Key Accountabilities

1. Work with the CEO and BU directors to develop and implement a 5-year strategy and business plans to achieve long-term growth objectives.
2. Create and execute the Group 5-Year Business Plan.
3. Lead market analysis and research activities to identify potential business opportunities and areas for innovation.
4. Monitor and analyse industry trends and competitor activities to maintain competitive advantage.
5. Create and embed BD, Account Management and Bidding Systems, Processes and Tools.
6. Build strong BD and Bidding Capabilities.
7. Identify new business opportunities and manage and execute the Sales Pipeline.
8. Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, business partners, and suppliers.
9. Support the CEO and Parent Organisation in considering the future brand design and positioning.
10. Develop a strategy and plan for promoting online and through social media (primarily website and LinkedIn).
11. Evaluate and manage participation at Trade Shows and Industry Events.
12. Build a successful growth function, manage and mentor the business development and strategy team, setting clear goals, KPIs, and achieving high levels of staff engagement.
13. Oversee the budgeting and resource allocation for business development activities.

Specific Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, or a related field.
2. Professional certifications in Project Management (PMP), Business Analysis (CBAP), or Strategy (SMC) are desirable.
3. Minimum of 10 years in a senior strategic planning or business development role within the emergency services and defence industries or a related sector.
4. Proven track record of leading business transformations and managing complex projects.
5. Experience in setting up and leading a new business unit or department.
6. Extensive experience in dealing with government contracts and understanding of public sector procurement processes.
7. Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
8. Proficiency in business intelligence and market analysis tools.
9. Excellent leadership and team management skills.
10. Advanced negotiation and relationship management skills.
11. Proficient in project management software and methodologies.
12. Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
13. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of effectively presenting ideas and negotiating at all levels including board level.
14. Willingness to travel as required for business meetings and relationship development.
15. Proficiency in Arabic is advantageous due to the regional focus of the business.

What’s in it for you?
At Serco, our core values drive everything we do, and we believe in fairly compensating our colleagues for the value they bring to our organization. We are proud to offer a total reward package at Serco which includes:

1. Competitive monthly pay and allowances that are commensurate with the role and industry standards.
2. Comprehensive medical insurance coverage and life insurance, so our employees can feel secure in their health and financial wellbeing.
3. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, which is why we offer competitive leave benefits that exceed industry standards.
4. We offer an annual airfare allowance to support our expat colleagues to stay in touch and visit their loved ones.
5. We pride ourselves on providing a supportive work environment where we foster a positive Safety-First culture.
6. We care deeply about our colleagues' wellbeing and offer access to wellbeing programs and platforms to support their physical, mental, and emotional health.
7. As a global organization, we offer a vast array of career paths for our employees to choose from. The scale and breadth of our organization provides our colleagues with opportunities for growth and variety in their career path, both regionally and globally.

Join Us
At Serco, we believe there is a place here for everyone. A place where you can bring your authentic self to work every day. Our workplace culture is one that embraces diversity and fosters equity, respect, and belonging for every individual. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and creating an inclusive environment that proudly celebrates the perspectives and backgrounds that each of our employees bring to work every day.

Join Serco and be part of a values-driven organization that invests in the development and well-being of its employees and offers a rewarding and fulfilling career. Serco is committed to Equal Employment Opportunities and is committed to ensuring the safety of all of its employees through its Zero Harm initiative. Please visit www.serco.com/careers for more information.