Head of Strategic Planning and Transformation

The Head of Strategic Projects and Transformation leads corporate strategy formulation and enterprise transformation. The role is responsible for shaping long term priorities through benchmarking and market intelligence, conducts long range forecasting and scenario modelling, evaluates new business opportunities, and acts as a robust PMO to deliver cross functional transformation with clear outcomes, risk management and change adoption.Lead the formulation of the company’s long-term strategies, incorporating internal and external stakeholder inputAnalyse market trends, competitive landscapes, and internal performance to define strategic priorities and enablersDefines strategic priorities, value pools, enablers and sequencingSupport the creation of sales and marketing strategies for destinations and attractionsScans trends/competitors/adjacencies and best practices and ensures this is embedded in key documentation and analysis as well as shared with key stakeholdersConvert insights into strategic options and exec ready thought piecesDelivers long range forecasting, strategic modelling and builds demand/revenue/economics models; runs scenario/sensitivity analysisProduce feasibility and valuation models for new business opportunities and partnershipsLead opportunity screening, concept shaping and commercial due diligenceDevelop investment cases (assumptions, returns, risks) for SLT/Board decisionsTransformation PMO (Portfolio and Projects)Act as the transformation PMO responsible for governance, cadence, toolingDevelop project charters, plans, timelines, budgets; define workstreams, RACI and interdependenciesAssign tasks; coordinate multi stakeholder (internal & external) teamsTrack progress; maintain RAID logs; communicate status/issues to managementIdentify/manage project risks & issues; change controlFacilitate/lead major change initiativesChange Management & CommunicationDevelop and deliver change plans, stakeholder maps, engagement and adoption plans; change narratives and commsLessons learned and capability building to sustain outcomesEnsure all stakeholders are engaged in development/execution of change plansExecutive Reporting and Strategic CommunicationPrepare strategic reports, executive presentations, and organization updatesSupport preparation of Board presentations, ensuring clear strategic narratives and data driven insightsTranslate analytical outputs into compelling stories and recommendationsOrganizational Alignment and Stakeholder EngagementCommunicate strategy across the organization and drive alignment around shared targetsFacilitate strategic discussions, workshops, and reviewsAct as a central coordinator/implementor for transformation and stratgic projectsEducation and QualificationsMaster’s degree in business administration, Strategy, Tourism Management, or a related fieldProven track record in project management, strategic planning, insights, or data-driven strategy rolesExceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience preparing strategic documents and presenting to C-suite and Board-level audiencesProficiency in business intelligence tools and storytelling platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Canva) or advanced Excel and PowerPoints for executive reporting.Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in management consulting or tourism managementAt least 5 years in a leadership role involving cross-functional project delivery and stakeholder alignmentStrong commercial acumen, with confidence in managing budgets and evaluating investment opportunitiesAbility to lead, coach, and motivate a high-performing cross departmental teams, including setting objectives and providing feedbackStrategy frameworks and destination development best practicesFinancial management, including budgeting and P&L oversightProject management principles and structured delivery toolsExecutive-level communication and presentation skillsCross-functional collaboration and leadershipData-driven decision-making, scenario planning, and structured problem-solving.Ability to navigate complex environments with multiple competing priorities.Designing and delivering C-suite and board-level strategic narratives.Exposure to the GCC market or other emerging markets.Strong relationship-building skills across internal and external stakeholders.Change management and organizational development methodologies.Executive-level communication and presentation skillsCross-functional collaboration and leadershipData-driven decision-making, scenario planning and structured problem-solving.Ability to navigate complex environments with multiple competing priorities.Designing and delivering C-suite and board-level strategic narratives.Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP, Prince2, or equivalent), with a strong foundation in structured planning methodologies.Exposure to the GCC market or other emerging markets.Strong relationship-building skills across internal and external stakeholders.Change management and organizatio