Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with regular travel across the company's Red Sea and Arabian Gulf port operations
Salary: Circa £150,000 per annum (or Saudi Riyal equivalent)
Start: Q1 to Q2 2027, subject to notice period
Contract: Permanent, full-time Saudi employment contract
Package: To be confirmed. Expected to include housing, transport, annual flights, medical cover and relocation support for the successful candidate and family
Reporting to: The Managing Director and the owning family
Open to all nationalities. Saudi nationals are strongly encouraged to apply in line with Saudisation. Fluent English is essential and Arabic is a strong advantage.
Role Summary
MOR Talent Boutique is delighted to be partnering with one of Saudi Arabia's longest-established family-owned maritime and logistics companies on the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer.
Over nearly four decades the company has grown into a trusted name in ship agency, customs clearance, ship chandlery and supply, logistics and yacht services, operating across the Kingdom's major Red Sea ports and key Arabian Gulf terminals. It holds long-standing partnerships with national energy companies and international shipping networks.
The Kingdom's investment in ports, logistics and giga-projects under Vision 2030 has created a significant growth opportunity, and the owning family is now appointing a Chief Executive Officer to lead that growth.
The CEO will take full responsibility for strategy, commercial performance and the leadership of the organisation, working closely with the Managing Director and the family and in partnership with a newly appointed Chief Operating Officer. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a respected Saudi business with strong foundations and long-standing blue-chip relationships.
Responsibilities
Strategy & Growth
- Develop and deliver a clear five-year strategy with the Managing Director and the owning family, aligned with Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's ambition to become a global logistics hub
- Identify and pursue new markets, services and ports, including giga-project logistics, project cargo, offshore support and yacht services
- Evaluate partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions that strengthen the company's position
- Build the company's profile within the Saudi and international maritime community
Commercial & Key Accounts
- Own relationships with strategic energy and industrial clients at the most senior level, protecting and growing long-standing contracts
- Lead tenders and major bids, and ensure the company meets the vendor and contractor standards of national energy companies and government entities
- Grow revenue with ship owners, operators, charterers, P&I clubs and international agency networks
- Set pricing strategy and commercial terms that protect margin
Financial Performance & Governance
- Hold full P&L responsibility and deliver agreed revenue, profit and cash targets
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting and capital planning
- Introduce the governance, reporting and controls expected of a growing, professionally run family business
- Report regularly and transparently to the Managing Director and the family
Leadership & Organisation
- Lead the senior leadership team, including the Chief Operating Officer, and build a strong, accountable management structure across all branches
- Shape a performance culture that keeps the company's reputation for reliability and personal service
- Champion Saudisation, developing Saudi talent and future leaders and keeping the company compliant with Nitaqat requirements
- Plan succession for key roles and invest in training and development
Stakeholders & Compliance
- Represent the company with the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), ZATCA (customs), the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, chambers of commerce and industry bodies
- Ensure full compliance with Saudi law, maritime regulation, customs requirements and HSE standards
- Protect the company's licences, certifications and memberships
Transformation & Digital
- Sponsor the modernisation of systems, data and processes across agency, clearance and logistics operations
- Use technology to improve service speed, transparency for clients and cost efficiency
Experience & Skills
- 15+ years in maritime, ports, shipping agency, logistics or offshore and energy services
- At least 5 years in a CEO, General Manager, Managing Director or P&L-holding business unit leadership role
- A proven record of growing revenue and profit in a service business
- Experience in Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC strongly preferred, with an understanding of how business is done in the Kingdom
- Senior relationships with national oil companies, port authorities or major shipping lines are a strong advantage
- Experience of tendering for and delivering large energy or government contracts
- Experience working within or alongside a family-owned business is an advantage
- Strong financial acumen and experience reporting to owners or a board
- A degree is expected. An MBA or a maritime qualification is an advantage
- Fluent English is essential. Arabic is a strong advantage
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be a respected, visible leader with the presence to represent the company at the highest level in the Kingdom and internationally. They will combine strategic vision with a hands-on, commercial instinct, and will earn trust through integrity, humility and respect for the family's values and the company's heritage. They will be culturally fluent, calm under pressure, decisive and genuinely invested in developing people, especially the next generation of Saudi leaders.
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a respected Saudi maritime business into its next stage of growth, at a time of unprecedented investment in the Kingdom's ports and logistics sector.