Senior Director of Operations

Senior Director of Operations – Driving Strategic Excellence in Driving School Operations

Join our dynamic organization as the **Senior Director of Operations**, where you will lead the transformation and optimization of driving school operations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In this pivotal role, you will drive operational excellence, foster strategic partnerships, and ensure seamless compliance with regulatory standards while scaling operations to support a workforce of up to 800 staff. This position demands a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of the KSA driving school landscape, procurement expertise, and a proven track record in governance, project management, and commercial negotiations.

As the Senior Director of Operations, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our driving school network by establishing robust governance frameworks, steering committees, and decision-making protocols. Your strategic vision will guide the phased implementation of operations, ensuring alignment with performance targets while identifying and mitigating operational gaps proactively. You will represent our organization at high-level engagements with government ministries, traffic authorities, and regulatory bodies, advocating for our vision and ensuring compliance with evolving standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Governance and Stakeholder Engagement: Lead governance structures, including steering committees and decision-making protocols, to ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Represent the organization in high-stakes meetings with regulatory bodies, ministries, and government authorities to drive policy compliance and operational alignment.
• Operational Standardization and Quality Assurance: Oversee the standardization of operational processes across all driving schools to deliver consistent service quality and regulatory compliance. Implement and enforce best practices in training, testing, and monitoring activities to maintain high standards of service delivery.
• Procurement and Contract Management: Lead end-to-end procurement activities, including manpower hiring, IT infrastructure deployment, and vendor management, with a focus on cost efficiency and value-driven negotiations. Leverage your commercial acumen to execute high-impact contracts that align with organizational goals.
• Workforce Expansion and Regional Coordination: Manage the scaling of operations from inception to full deployment, coordinating workforce expansion across regional locations to achieve a target of approximately 800 operational staff. Foster collaboration among diverse teams to ensure seamless execution and operational continuity.
• Budget Oversight and Financial Control: Monitor and enforce operational budgets, implementing rigorous cost-control measures to optimize resource allocation and financial performance. Drive data-driven decision-making to enhance operational efficiency and profitability.
• Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Develop and implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance, ensuring real-time monitoring and reporting. Analyze performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for process optimization.
• Technical and Commercial Leadership: Provide expert guidance on commercial and technical matters, ensuring decisions align with the organization’s strategic objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve complex challenges and drive innovation in service delivery.

Qualifications and Experience

We are seeking a highly accomplished professional with:

• A Master’s degree in Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field, reflecting a strong foundation in operational and strategic leadership.
• 8-10 years of substantial experience in operations management, preferably within regulated or customer-facing industries such as driving schools, education, or logistics. Experience in managing multiple sites or services in high-growth environments is highly valued.
• A proven track record in supervising teams, overseeing daily operations, and driving operational excellence in dynamic environments.
• Expertise in governance and board representation, including experience in setting up steering committees, decision-making frameworks, and escalation protocols for project companies or corporate entities.
• Deep knowledge of the KSA driving school landscape, including regulatory requirements, vendor relationships, and industry best practices. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in large-scale driving school operations within KSA or the GCC.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to inspire and unify diverse teams across geographically dispersed locations, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong background in negotiating and executing commercial contracts, with a focus on cost efficiency and value maximization.
• Operational Excellence: Comprehensive understanding of operational procedures, service delivery standards, and regulatory compliance in high-growth environments.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in IT applications, including Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and scheduling tools to streamline operational workflows.
• Multilingual Communication: Fluency in Arabic and English, with French being a significant advantage for facilitating cross-team collaboration.
• Regulatory Expertise: In-depth knowledge of KSA’s traffic regulations, driving school standards, and government compliance requirements.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the driving school industry in KSA by leading with vision, integrity, and operational rigor. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for driving operational excellence, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey toward transforming driving education in the region.