Manager - Strategy and Performance

AD Ports Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 390,600 - 669,600; Full time

Job summary

AD Ports Group is seeking a Manager of Strategy in Abu Dhabi to drive the Maritime & Shipping Cluster's strategic agenda, aligning initiatives with corporate vision and delivering measurable performance improvements.

The role involves strategy development, performance management, and leading strategic projects including M&A, with regular engagement of cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure successful transformation and global competitiveness.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop and execute complex strategic plans in Maritime or related industries.
• Knowledge of market intelligence methodologies and tools.
• Understanding of due diligence, valuation, and integration in M&A processes.
• Experience in managing projects/programmes with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to convey complex ideas clearly.
• Strong leadership with track record of guiding diverse teams and delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Strategy in formulating the cluster’s long-term strategic roadmap and identify opportunities and risks.
• Design KPIs, scorecards, and dashboards; collaborate with Finance and Operations to ensure financial viability and operational execution.
• Lead strategic projects and M&A initiatives, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and timelines.
• Provide regular performance insights and reports to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Engage internal teams and external partners; represent the cluster in discussions with regulators, partners, and investors.

Skills

Strategic Expertise

Market Analysis

M&A Acumen

Project Management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Advanced degree in business administration

Job description

Job Description

The Manager of Strategy will play a critical role in driving and supporting the strategic agenda of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster. Reporting directly to the Director of Strategy, this role encompasses strategy development, performance management, and execution of strategic projects including mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The Senior Manager will ensure that the cluster’s strategic initiatives are aligned with AD Ports Group’s corporate vision, deliver measurable performance improvements, and support transformational projects that enhance global competitiveness.

Responsibilities

Strategy Development

• Support the Director of Strategy in formulating the cluster’s long-term strategic roadmap.
• Conduct market research, competitive benchmarking, and scenario planning to identify opportunities and risks.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for strategic investments, partnerships, and diversification initiatives.

Performance Management

• Design and implement KPIs, scorecards, and dashboards to monitor cluster performance.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to ensure strategies are financially viable and operationally executable.
• Provide regular performance insights and reports to senior leadership.

Strategic Projects & M&A

• Lead and manage strategic projects, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and timelines.
• Support due diligence, valuation, and integration planning for mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to implement transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment of strategic initiatives.
• Represent the cluster in project-related discussions with regulators, partners, and investors.

Qualifications

Educational and Technical Qualifications: Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., Business Administration) and relevant professional certifications or deep experience in strategy related role.

• Strategic Expertise: Proven ability to develop and execute complex strategic plans in a Maritime or related industry.
• Market Analysis: Knowledge of market intelligence methodologies and tools.
• M&A Acumen: Understanding of M&A processes, including financial analysis, due diligence, and integration strategies.
• Project Management: Expertise in managing projects and programmes with multiple stakeholders.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing diverse teams and driving results.

Language Skills

• English; Arabic language a plus.

Years of Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a strategy consultant or 10 years industry experience.

Nature of Experience

• Strategy role within Maritime industry and/or management consulting firms, set up and running of Integration and transformation offices and M&A experience.