Director Transformation

Hapag-Lloyd; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 293,000 - 441,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global shipping company located in the United Arab Emirates is seeking an experienced professional to drive operational excellence through transformation initiatives using technology such as AI and automation. The role involves developing strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and engaging with senior leadership to ensure successful implementation. The ideal candidate will have a background in operational transformation and process optimization, along with strong change management skills. The position offers a tax-free salary, benefits, and a flexible work model.

Benefits

Tax free salary & bonus payments

30 working days of annual leave

Flexible working hours and hybrid work model

Medical insurance for employee & dependants

A diverse and multi-cultural working environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale operational transformation programs.
• Strong expertise in process optimization, operational efficiency, and change management.
• Experience implementing digital solutions, automation, AI, or RPA in operational workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the regional operations transformation roadmap.
• Lead initiatives leveraging automation and predictive analytics.
• Identify and implement opportunities to standardize processes.

Skills

Operational transformation programs

Process optimization

Change management

Digital solutions implementation

AI and automation

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

The role focuses on driving operational excellence, standardizing processes, and embedding technology-driven solutions including automation, AI, and RPA to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service quality. The role partners closely with regional and global operations, commercial, and IT teams, and fosters a high performing, engaged team guided by a servant leadership approach.

Reports to: Senior Director Operations

Responsibilities

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Operational Transformation Strategy: Develop and execute the regional operations transformation roadmap, aligned with global strategy and regional business priorities.
• Technology & Digital Innovation: Lead initiatives leveraging AI, RPA, automation, and predictive analytics to streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and enable data-driven operations.
• Process Standardization & Optimization: Identify and implement opportunities to standardize processes, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with commercial, operations, IT, and HQ teams to ensure smooth execution of transformation programs and successful deployment of technology solutions.
• Proactive Planning & Risk Management: Anticipate operational challenges and design transformation initiatives to mitigate risks while ensuring continuity and responsiveness.
• Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Define KPIs that enable the regional operations team to perform and transform, track progress, and drive measurable improvements using operational data and technology insights.
• Change Leadership: Self-driven, lead change initiatives, ensuring adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working across diverse teams and countries.
• Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing, tech-savvy team, fostering a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage senior leadership and external partners to secure alignment, commitment, and sponsorship for operational and technology-driven transformation initiatives.

Qualifications

Requirements for the Role

• Proven experience leading large-scale operational transformation programs, ideally in shipping, logistics, or related industries.
• Strong expertise in process optimization, operational efficiency, and change management.
• Experience implementing digital solutions, automation, AI, or RPA in operational workflows.
• Ability to translate operational challenges into structured transformation initiatives with measurable impact.
• Familiarity with digital transformation, automation, and operational data analytics is preferred.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across multiple geographies.

About Us

With a fleet of 313 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. In the Liner Shipping segment, the Company has around 14,000 employees and 400 offices in 140 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 3.7 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 133 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all the continents. In the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, Hapag-Lloyd has equity stakes in 21 terminals in Europe, Latin America, the United States, India and North Africa. Around 3,000 employees are assigned to the Terminal & Infrastructure segment and provide complementary logistics services at selected locations in addition to the terminal activities.

We offer:

• Tax free salary & bonus payments
• 30 working days of annual leave
• Flexible working hours and hybrid work model
• Medical insurance for employee & eligible dependants (spouse & children)
• A diverse and multi-cultural working environment