Commercial Director

Actively engaged in multi-asset class investment activities across various geographies, carried out by a highly qualified and experienced in-house team of investment professionals using an ‘Asset Allocation Matrix’ to realize risk adjusted returns on invested capital over a long-term period. Investment activities include direct investments in startups, taking stakes in established businesses, acquisitions of business enterprises and setting-up new businesses through collaborative joint venture routes. Ghobash Trading & Investment is also active in private financial investments, including private equity and debt, venture capital, real estate and publicly listed financial investments.

The Director – Commercial & Growth is responsible for defining and executing the commercial strategy and growth roadmap of GCG.

The role ensures disciplined, profitable, and diversified growth by overseeing portfolio development, pricing discipline, commercial governance, and strategic partnerships, while supporting Business Units in achieving sustainable financial performance.

The Director is accountable for strengthening profitability, reducing dependency risks, and enabling long-term value creation across the business.

• Develop and implement the commercial and growth strategy aligned with GCG’s objectives.
• Oversee portfolio development and identify new markets, services, and partnership opportunities.
• Ensure that growth initiatives are aligned with profitability, cash flow, and risk management principles.
• Establish and enforce commercial governance processes including deal qualification, pricing discipline, and bid approval frameworks.
• Provide commercial leadership and direction to Business Units while preserving their operational autonomy.
• Act as senior commercial interface with key clients, partners, OEMs, and strategic stakeholders.
• Support negotiations for high-value commercial agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities in the energy, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
• Ensure alignment between sales activities, growth initiatives, and long-term strategic objectives.
• Provide regular reporting to the General Manager on growth initiatives, portfolio performance, and strategic risks.

Goals

• Improve stability and quality of Net Profit across GCG.
• Reduce dependency on single clients, partners, or revenue streams.
• Develop and validate new growth initiatives or profit engines aligned with the strategic roadmap.
• Strengthen commercial governance and pricing discipline across all Business Units.
• Enhance the company’s positioning with key clients, principals, and partners.

Key Deliverables

• Develop and maintain a rolling 3-to-5 year growth roadmap.
• Prepare market and portfolio assessments to support strategic decision-making.
• Lead structured evaluations of new partnership or business opportunities.
• Establish and monitor commercial KPIs and dashboards for performance tracking.
• Support Business Units in improving margin quality and forecast accuracy.
• Present strategic updates and recommendations to senior management and the Board when required.
• Contribute to the development of long-term strategic initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related discipline with at least 15 years of experience in the UAE in a similar role.

• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability
• Experience in pricing, portfolio management, and commercial governance
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to evaluate financial and operational performance
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work across multiple business units and functions
• Minimum 15+ years of experience in commercial leadership, business growth, or strategic roles
• Experience in EPC, industrial services, energy, utilities, or infrastructure sectors
• Proven experience managing or influencing P&L performance
• Experience dealing with senior clients, partners, and stakeholders
• Experience in UAE or GCC markets is strongly preferred
• Strategic thinker with strong execution discipline
• Balanced approach between growth and risk management
• High level of professional integrity and sound judgment
• Collaborative leadership style
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Self-motivated and results-oriented
• Strong analytical and decision-making ability