Regional Head

NicheHR Global; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

The Regional Head, GCC will lead and grow Marine & Energy Services, Liner Shipping, and Freight & Logistics businesses across the Gulf Cooperation Council. This is a senior leadership position with full accountability for shaping and expanding a multi-service portfolio in one of the world’s most strategic trade corridors.

You will build and mentor a high-performing regional team, drive strategy, manage P&L, and report to the Managing Director.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in marine and agency services, freight forwarding, and liner shipping.
• Proven leadership experience running regional or overseas operations.
• Strong commercial instincts with a track record in business development.
• A well-established professional network and client relationships across the Gulf.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate autonomously and represent the business at a senior level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Marine and Energy Services, Liner Shipping, and Freight and Logistics operations across the GCC region.
• Develop and execute a regional growth strategy that expands market share and profitability across all business lines.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing regional team, ensuring operational excellence and accountability.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities, leveraging an established network of principals, agents, and clients across the Gulf.
• Own and manage key client and principal relationships, ensuring service quality and long-term partnership value.
• Represent the business in regional industry forums, trade bodies, and with key stakeholders.
• Manage P&L responsibility for the GCC region, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with local regulatory, commercial, and corporate governance requirements across all GCC markets.
• Report regularly to the Managing Director and senior leadership on regional performance and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Regional/overseas operations

Business development

Gulf network

Stakeholder management

Dubai relocation readiness

Job description

Business Lines: Marine & Energy Services, Liner Shipping, Freight & Logistics

Reports To: Managing Director

Company Overview

Our client is a diversified maritime and logistics services provider operating across Sri Lanka, the Middle East, the Maldives and Singapore. The business is expanding its presence across the Gulf and is seeking an experienced regional leader to head its GCC operations.

Role Purpose

The Regional Head, GCC will lead and grow the Marine and Energy Services, Liner Shipping, and Freight and Logistics businesses across the Gulf Cooperation Council. This is a senior leadership position with full accountability for shaping and expanding a multi-service portfolio in one of the world’s most strategic trade corridors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Marine and Energy Services, Liner Shipping, and Freight and Logistics operations across the GCC region.
• Develop and execute a regional growth strategy that expands market share and profitability across all business lines.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing regional team, ensuring operational excellence and accountability.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities, leveraging an established network of principals, agents, and clients across the Gulf.
• Own and manage key client and principal relationships, ensuring service quality and long-term partnership value.
• Represent the business in regional industry forums, trade bodies, and with key stakeholders.
• Manage P&L responsibility for the GCC region, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with local regulatory, commercial, and corporate governance requirements across all GCC markets.
• Report regularly to the Managing Director and senior leadership on regional performance and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in marine and agency services, freight forwarding, and liner shipping.
• Proven leadership experience running regional or overseas operations.
• Strong commercial instincts with a demonstrated track record in business development.
• A well-established professional network and client relationships across the Gulf.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate autonomously and represent the business at a senior level.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Dubai, UAE.

Key Relationships

• Managing Director
• CFO and finance function
• Senior leadership team
• Regional principals, carriers, agents, and key clients across the GCC

Key Performance Indicators

1. Business Growth & Revenue

• Regional revenue growth: Year-on-year revenue growth across Marine & Energy, Liner, and Freight/Logistics lines vs. approved budget.
• New business wins: Number and value of new principal, agency, or client contracts secured.
• Pipeline development: Value of qualified business development pipeline maintained.

2. Profitability & Financial Management

• EBITDA / margin: Regional EBITDA and gross margin performance vs. budget.
• Cost management: Operating costs as a percentage of revenue, within approved budget.
• Forecast accuracy: Variance between forecast and actual revenue/costs.

3. Client & Principal Relationships

• Client retention: Retention rate of key principals and clients across the region.
• Client satisfaction: Feedback and satisfaction scores from key accounts.
• New principal appointments: Number of new agency or principal appointments secured.

4. Operational Excellence

• Service delivery: On-time performance and service-level adherence across business lines. Frequency: Monthly
• Regulatory compliance: Zero material compliance breaches across GCC jurisdictions. Frequency: Ongoing
• Process efficiency: Turnaround times for agency, freight, and liner operations vs. targets. Frequency: Quarterly
• Team build-out: Regional team hired and structured against approved headcount plan. Frequency: Semi-annual
• Employee retention: Voluntary attrition rate within the regional team. Frequency: Annual
• Talent development: Completion of performance reviews and development plans for direct reports. Frequency: Annual

6. Reporting & Governance

• Management reporting: Timely, accurate monthly and quarterly performance reports to the Managing Director and senior leadership. Frequency: Monthly
• Strategic initiatives: Delivery of agreed regional strategic projects against timeline. Frequency: Quarterly