Director Of Operations

Confidential Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company in Dubai is seeking a senior leader to build and run the operations function for a new physical energy trading platform. You will establish governance, controls and reporting to support profitable, scalable growth.

You will lead end-to-end cargo execution, risk management and a developing team, coordinating logistics, terminals, inspectors and brokers, while partnering with Trading, Finance and Compliance to ensure disciplined operations and strong governance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in physical oil trading operations or related energy trading environments.
• Hands-on experience managing marine cargoes, terminals, storage and shipping documentation.
• Senior generalist capable of balancing commercial priorities with operational discipline.
• Experience in entrepreneurial, privately-owned or mid-sized trading businesses preferred.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership capability.

Responsibilities

• Establish the operating model and governance framework for the new platform.
• Implement cargo, vessel and exposure reporting.
• Develop service-provider and logistics network and governance structures.
• Support trading systems and process automation and scale the operations team.

Skills

Oil trading operations

Stakeholder leadership

Operational governance

Team leadership

Risk management

Tools

Logistics software

Job description

An exciting leadership opportunity to help build a new physical energy trading platform in Dubai. The successful candidate will establish operational structures, controls, reporting and execution capabilities that support profitable and scalable growth.

Company Growth Vision

Initially focused on bitumen, diesel, gas oil and naphtha trading, with planned expansion into a broader range of petroleum products and potentially crude oil.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of physical cargo transactions from contract confirmation through final settlement.

• Coordinate shipping, terminals, storage providers, inspectors, agents, brokers and logistics partners.

• Oversee documentation, invoicing support, claims, demurrage and trade close-out activities.

• Build operational procedures, controls, KPIs and management reporting.

• Partner closely with Trading, Finance, Risk, Trade Finance and Compliance teams.

• Manage operational risk and ensure strong governance in a fast-growing environment.

• Recruit, develop and lead the operations team as trading volumes expand.

Desired Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of relevant experience in physical oil, refined products, petrochemical or energy trading operations.

• Hands-on experience managing marine cargoes, terminals, storage and shipping documentation.

• Senior generalist capable of balancing commercial priorities with operational discipline.

• Experience in entrepreneurial, privately-owned or mid-sized trading businesses preferred.

• Strong stakeholder management and leadership capability.

• Middle East experience and established industry network highly desirable.

First 12 Months

1. Establish the operating model and governance framework.

2. Implement cargo, vessel and exposure reporting.

3. Develop service-provider and logistics network.

4. Support trading systems and process automation.

5. Build a scalable operations team.

Success Measures

• Reliable cargo execution

• Controlled operational risk

• Accurate documentation and settlement

• Effective cost and claims management

• Scalable infrastructure and team capability

This role offers the rare opportunity to build an operations function from the ground up, influence strategic growth decisions, and work directly with the company leadership team while shaping a long-term international trading platform.