Director - Ports Operations (Emirati)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Director – Ports Operations to lead and oversee port operational activities for a prestigious company in Sharjah. The role provides strategic and operational leadership, ensuring safe, efficient, compliant, and high‑quality maritime services while driving performance and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day‑to‑day port operations, ensuring efficient service delivery and optimal use of infrastructure, facilities, equipment and resources.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, plans, policies and performance objectives aligned with organisational goals.
• Monitor operational performance, productivity, service levels and key performance indicators, driving initiatives to improve efficiency, capacity, service quality and customer experience.
• Ensure compliance with maritime, port, safety, security, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop operational teams, set performance targets and foster a high‑performance culture.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, government entities, port users, shipping companies, operators and other maritime partners.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation, business continuity and emergency response measures.
• Prepare and present operational performance reports, recommendations and strategic updates to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement, digital transformation, innovation and adoption of international best practices in port operations.

Required profile

• Strong senior‑level experience in port, marine, maritime, terminal or logistics operations.
• Proven experience leading large‑scale operational teams and complex port activities.
• Deep knowledge of port operations, maritime regulations, HSE and operational risk management.
• Experience developing operational strategies, KPIs, budgets and performance improvement initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and exposure to government sectors.
• Excellent leadership, decision‑making, communication and strategic planning skills.