Vice President - Transformation & Innovation

IHA Forum; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Emarat Petroleum seeks a Vice President of Transformation and Innovation to lead strategic initiatives across downstream operations, driving growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

You will partner with senior leadership to define and prioritize innovation roadmaps, oversee large-scale programs, advance energy transition, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration with tech partners and research institutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Master’s or MBA preferred for senior leadership role.
• Minimum 15 years in oil and gas downstream with 5+ years in leadership driving transformation or innovation.
• Proven track record leading large-scale transformation projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead transformation strategies to optimize downstream processes and profitability.
• Align initiatives with business objectives, market trends, and new technologies.
• Partner with senior leadership to define and prioritize innovation roadmaps.
• Identify technologies and business models to enhance operations and customer engagement.
• Oversee large-scale transformation programs with budget discipline and benefits realization.
• Drive energy transition, sustainability, and decarbonization initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Establish KPIs and report progress to the executives and board.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Innovation & Change Management

Leadership & Influence

Problem-Solving

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business

Master’s or MBA preferred

Job description

The Vice President of Transformation and Innovation at Emarat Petroleum will lead strategic initiatives to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation across the downstream operations of the company. This role focuses on identifying and implementing transformative projects that align with the company’s long-term vision, enhancing competitive advantage, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute transformation strategies to optimize downstream processes, drive operational excellence, and increase profitability.
• Align transformation initiatives with Emarat business objectives, market trends, and emerging technologies to maintain industry leadership.
• Partner with senior leadership to define and prioritize innovation roadmaps and initiatives.

Innovation Management:

• Identify new technologies, digital tools, and business models to enhance downstream operations, including refining, distribution, and marketing.
• Lead the exploration and implementation of cutting‑edge solutions in refining processes, logistics, and customer engagement.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, fostering partnerships with tech firms, research institutions, and industry leaders to drive innovation.

Operational Transformation:

• Oversee large‑scale transformation projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and realization of intended benefits.
• Streamline business processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement solutions to enhance productivity and cost savings.
• Lead initiatives on energy transition, sustainability, and decarbonization to align with global energy transformation trends.

Cultural Change and Talent Development:

• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
• Inspire and develop teams to adopt new technologies, processes, and ways of thinking.
• Facilitate training and leadership development programs to build innovation capabilities within the workforce.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Establish metrics and KPIs to monitor the success of transformation and innovation initiatives.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the executive team and board of directors on project progress, performance, and strategic recommendations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of experience in oil and gas downstream operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role driving transformation or innovation.
• Proven track record of leading successful large‑scale transformation projects in the oil and gas sector.
• Deep understanding of downstream operations, market dynamics, and technological advancements.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Innovation and Change Management
• Leadership and Influence
• Problem‑Solving
• Financial Acumen
• Stakeholder Management

Preferred Certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Lean Six Sigma
• Digital Transformation Certifications