Chief Executive Officer

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading luxury retail organization as a Chief Executive Officer, driving innovation and strategic growth in a dynamic market. This pivotal role requires strong leadership, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of retail dynamics in the GCC. Contribute to expanding diverse luxury retail portfolios while enhancing customer experience and stakeholder value.

Qualifications

• 15 years of leadership experience in premium or luxury multi-brand retail.
• At least 5 years at the C-suite or Executive Committee level.
• Deep exposure to e-commerce and omnichannel transformation.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the business unit's long-term strategy for regional expansion.
• Oversee full P&L ownership and implement world-class retail models.
• Cultivate a performance-led leadership culture across the organization.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Agility

Commercial Acumen

Customer Obsession

Education

Master's/Bachelor's degree in Business

MBA or relevant Executive Education

Job description

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Retail Business Unit will serve as the strategic and operational leader of a high-growth, multi-format luxury retail and lifestyle portfolio, offering diverse products and services in premium luxury solutions, living room ideas, and bespoke living concepts, as well as an international lifestyle brand.

This individual will be responsible for envisioning and executing an ambitious, future-focused roadmap for expansion, Sales Operations, digital transformation, e-commerce optimization, and buying and brand leadership.

As a key member of the Group's Executive Leadership Team, the CEO will shape the unit's purpose, customer experience, and stakeholder value in alignment with the Group's broader vision for retail space, innovation, and human capital priorities. This role requires a blend of visionary leadership, operational excellence, and in-depth expertise in luxury retail & lifestyle.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Growth Execution

Define and lead the business unit's long-term strategy, focused on profitable growth, customer-centric innovation, and regional expansion within the GCC and adjacent luxury markets.

Identify and assess new growth opportunities across emerging retail formats (physical, digital, experiential) and drive execution through scalable models.

Establish a competitive brand and portfolio strategy to enhance customer relevance, market penetration, and lifetime value.

2. Operational Excellence & Performance Management

Oversee full P&L ownership, ensuring financial rigor, cost discipline, and sustainable profitability.

Implement world-class retail operating models across stores, e-commerce, and omnichannel to deliver a seamless and elevated customer experience.

Introduce advanced retail analytics, AI-enabled demand planning, and integrated merchandising to optimize inventory, margins, and store productivity.

3. Commercial & Customer Strategy

Drive a high-performance commercial strategy encompassing brand development, sales, pricing, and experiential marketing.

Champion customer intelligence, loyalty programs, and CRM capabilities to deepen client engagement in line with luxury standards.

Align marketing and digital functions to build robust brand narratives and data-driven campaigns tailored to affluent and high-net-worth audiences.

4. Talent, Culture & Leadership

Cultivate an agile, inclusive, and performance-led leadership culture across all levels of the retail organization.

Lead succession planning, executive capability development, and strategic workforce planning to ensure future-readiness.

Build a dynamic leadership bench and attract next-generation retail talent through effective employer branding, digital fluency, and innovative employee experience.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Brand Partnerships

Forge and sustain strategic partnerships with global luxury brands, property & project developers, and regulatory bodies.

Represent the business in key forums and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the reputational integrity and trust of stakeholders.

Negotiate optimal terms for exclusivity, market entry, and retail leasing across flagship and emerging territories.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic Agility: Demonstrates long-term visioning with the ability to pivot rapidly in dynamic market conditions.

Transformational Leadership: Inspires and mobilizes teams through digital, cultural, and commercial change journeys.

Customer Obsession: Deep sensitivity to luxury consumer expectations and behavior, translating insights into differentiated experiences.

Commercial Acumen: Exceptional understanding of financial drivers, unit economics, and value creation levers across channels.

Innovation Orientation: Embraces digital disruption, sustainability, and retail tech to evolve the brand ecosystem.

Influence & Governance: Navigates board-level dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and shareholders' expectations with maturity and transparency.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 15 years of leadership experience in premium or luxury multi-brand retail & lifestyle, including at least 5 years at the C-suite or Executive Committee level.
• Proven success in scaling multi-product retail businesses, expanding geographically, and launching new store formats and digital platforms.
• Deep exposure to e-commerce, digital brand building, and omnichannel transformation is essential.
• Demonstrated track record in complete P&L management, capital investments, and enterprise-level transformation.
• Strong background in customer experience, brand stewardship, and data-driven decision-making.
• Prior Middle East experience is mandatory; knowledge of the UAE or GCC market is highly preferred.
• Master's/Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail, or related field; MBA or relevant Executive Education is desirable.

Why Join us:

This is a pivotal opportunity to lead a top-tier, innovation-driven retail organization at the forefront of the luxury lifestyle industry. The role offers exceptional influence, autonomy, and the chance to shape the future of retail in one of the world's most dynamic markets