Senior Manager - Strategy (Emirati Talent)

About the role

The Senior Manager - Strategy supports the Head of Strategy in shaping and executing the corporate strategy in partnership with MAF Holding, the Retail Executive Committee and Country Managers. The role drives strategic alignment across the business by identifying growth and innovation opportunities, monitoring market trends and competitive developments, generating thought leadership insights and ensuring effective communication and execution of strategic priorities across all countries.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development, governance and execution of the corporate strategy, aligned with business priorities, country plans and long-term growth objectives.
• Embed and communicate the strategy to senior leadership, corporate functions and country teams.
• Partner with Transformation, Finance, Human Capital and Operations to monitor strategic performance, evaluate outcomes and recommend corrective actions.
• Identify and assess emerging customer trends, technologies, innovation opportunities and industry developments.
• Deliver market, competitive and macroeconomic intelligence to inform strategic decisions.
• Evaluate organic growth, strategic partnerships, M&A opportunities and transformational initiatives, developing business cases for investment decisions.
• Build strategy capabilities through governance frameworks, improved processes and tools, and alignment of functional and country strategies.
• Lead, coach and develop the strategy team, supporting financial planning, resource allocation and organisational readiness.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• 10-12+ years of experience in strategy, business planning, corporate development or management consulting within large multinational organisations.
• Proven strategic planning experience in an omni-channel retail environment, with exposure to commercial, digital, customer experience, marketing, HR, sustainability or new business ventures.
• Track record evaluating and executing growth opportunities, including strategic partnerships, M&A transactions and transformation initiatives.

Required skills

• Market research and competitive intelligence
• Business analysis and financial modelling
• Development of strategic business cases
• Stakeholder management, communication and storytelling