Executive Head – Organizational Planning & Business Excellence

About the role

This senior leadership position within a confidential government entity in Abu Dhabi is responsible for driving corporate strategic planning, organisational performance, business excellence and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with government priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous review of the corporate strategic planning framework.
• Translate organisational strategy and government priorities into clear strategic objectives, initiatives, KPIs and performance targets.
• Oversee corporate performance management frameworks and monitor strategic and organisational performance.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership based on performance trends.
• Lead organisational planning activities, including strategic and annual business plans and related governance processes.
• Establish and enhance frameworks for business excellence, organisational effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Drive initiatives to improve organisational efficiency, service delivery and processes.
• Develop performance measurement methodologies, dashboards and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, organisational structures, functional priorities and resources.
• Lead benchmarking and best‑practice initiatives to identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and divisions to implement strategic priorities.
• Establish governance mechanisms for monitoring initiatives and performance.
• Provide regular strategic performance reports and recommendations to executive management.
• Lead and develop the Organisational Planning and Business Excellence team.
• Support alignment with Abu Dhabi Government performance frameworks.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Strategic Management, Management, Economics, Public Administration or related field; Master’s degree advantageous.
• 15+ years progressive experience in corporate strategic planning, organisational performance or business excellence.
• Significant experience within government, semi‑government or large complex organisations.
• Senior management/director‑level experience with exposure to executive leadership.
• Strong understanding of strategic planning, performance management and organisational effectiveness frameworks.
• Proven experience developing and implementing corporate strategies, KPIs and performance frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management, analytical, communication and presentation skills.