Shared Services Senior Director

Company: Emdad Al Khebrat –

WebSite: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Description:**Job Title:** Senior Director, Shared Services

**Department:** Shared Services
**Section:** Operations
**Reporting to:** Vice President, Operations

**Project Overview:**

This position supports the development of a landmark national museum project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, conceived as a flagship cultural institution dedicated to showcasing global cultures. This project is a significant contributor to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, specifically advancing the cultural and creative sectors. This presents a unique opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant project with global impact.

**Job Purpose:**

The Senior Director of Shared Services provides strategic leadership and coordination across the institution’s infrastructure functions. This role ensures the delivery of responsive and effective enabling services that support the institution’s core mission while upholding the highest standards of compliance, accountability, and efficiency. As the leader of the organization’s operational infrastructure, this role enables cultural and public-facing departments to flourish through sound infrastructure and coordinated support. The Senior Director is responsible for strategic planning, cross-functional alignment, and service innovation across all shared service areas. This position requires a results-oriented leader with extensive experience in organizational operations, exceptional financial and administrative acumen, the ability to cultivate collaboration across departments, and the capacity to align administrative systems with the organization’s strategic priorities and values. With a focus on excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement, the Senior Director plays a vital role in sustaining the institution’s long-term stability and mission delivery, fostering a culture of transparency, excellence, and support.

**Roles and Responsibilities:**

* **Strategy and Planning:**
* Lead strategic planning for all shared service areas, ensuring alignment of operational support with the institution’s mission and strategic objectives.
* Contribute to organization-wide initiatives, serving as a key operational advisor to the Vice President, Operations.
* Define annual work plans, targets, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each unit within Shared Services.
* Develop and implement a comprehensive shared services strategy that supports the institution’s mission and aligns with its long-term goals.

* **Operational Oversight:**
* Oversee Human Resources operations, including talent acquisition, development, retention, and compliance.
* Oversee building and facilities management, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
* Implement and oversee risk management practices across departments.

* **Budget Management:**
* Develop, manage, and monitor the Shared Services budget in collaboration with the Finance Department.

* **Policies, Processes, and Procedures:**
* Monitor and enforce internal control frameworks and regulatory compliance.
* Establish metrics and KPIs for evaluating the performance of shared services against organizational objectives.
* Implement best practices and innovative solutions that streamline processes and improve service outcomes across the organization.
* Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards in service operations and provide oversight of contracts and policy review.
* Adhere to the institution’s values, ethical standards, and governance framework.

* **Functional Accountabilities:**
* Support interdepartmental coordination to meet the evolving operational needs of the institution.
* Oversee the operational and financial performance of shared services functions, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and high-quality service delivery.
* Collaborate with senior leadership to identify opportunities for cross-departmental service enhancements that drive value.
* Serve as the primary liaison between shared services and department heads, facilitating open communication and collaborative problem-solving.
* Manage complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
* Evaluate current service offerings and make data-informed recommendations for improvements, modifications, or expansions.
* Drive initiatives for organizational change by promoting a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement.
* Address conflicts and challenges within shared services and across departments promptly and effectively.
* Stay abreast of industry trends and innovations in shared services management and operations.

* **Stakeholder Management:**
* Represent shared services at board meetings and with stakeholders to communicate progress, challenges, and strategic direction.
* Foster relationships with key external partners and vendors to enhance service delivery and support the institution’s initiatives.
* Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within shared services, ensuring equitable access to services for all stakeholders.

* **People Management:**
* Manage and support team members in performing their tasks in accordance with established policies and procedures.
* Guide, mentor, and develop the Shared Services team to ensure continuous growth and achievement of functional objectives.
* Establish clear performance goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional development through coaching and formal evaluations.
* Delegate authority to empower team members and encourage accountability.
* Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management while promoting employee engagement and motivation.
* Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative work culture aligned with the institution’s values.
* Promote innovation and contribute to a positive, inspiring, and diverse workplace.
* Maintain high personal standards and ensure excellence across the section.

**Job Qualifications and Requirements:**

* **Knowledge and Experience:**
* Minimum of nine (9) years of operational management experience, including leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
* Experience in a large, complex institution; museum or non-profit experience is preferred.
* Familiarity with public sector procurement and regulatory frameworks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or comparable context.
* Comprehensive understanding of best practices in human resources, finance, IT infrastructure, and facility management within the non-profit sector.
* Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in shared services, preferably within a non-profit or cultural institution.
* Demonstrated track record in strategic planning and operational execution, with a focus on enhancing service delivery and efficiency.
* Extensive experience in financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation, substantiated by strong analytical skills.
* Proficiency in change management practices and the ability to navigate organizational dynamics.
* Familiarity with museum operations, curatorial practices, and educational programming is highly desirable.
* Proficiency in relevant technologies and software that support shared services operations.
* Proven ability to create and sustain high-performance teams that align with organizational goals.
* Highly developed financial literacy, including advanced budgeting and financial analysis skills.

* **Education and Certifications:**
* Required: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, law, or a related field.
* Preferred: International qualification in management or further training in cultural/non-profit administration.

* **Personal Capabilities and Qualifications:**
* Detail-oriented.
* Demonstrates high integrity and ethical judgment.
* Proactive, systematic, and collaborative work style.
* Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into actionable plans.
* Strong leadership capabilities, characterized by the ability to motivate and inspire diverse teams toward common goals.
* Excellent interpersonal skills, facilitating effective communication with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
* Proficient in utilizing various project management methodologies and tools to ensure timely project delivery.
* Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, enabling effective management of diverse stakeholder needs.
* Thoughtful data analysis capabilities with a focus on deriving insights for informed decision-making.
* Competence in technology solutions that facilitate shared services operations, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
* Adaptability to work in a complex and dynamic environment while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
* Viewed as a trusted advisor and influencer with the ability to engage and align diverse teams with institutional objectives.
* Commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct within the organization.
* Skilled in the implementation of change management strategies and practices to facilitate successful transitions.
* A passion for the mission of museums and a commitment to enhancing community engagement through shared services.
* Critical thinking capabilities, enabling proactive identification of risks and the development of mitigation strategies.
* Outstanding organizational skills, with attention to detail and a focus on delivering high-quality results.
* Exceptional project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives.
* Capacity to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among diverse teams.
* Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of effectively engaging stakeholders, including board members and donors.
* Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in service delivery and team management.
* Ability to leverage data analytics for decision-making and continuous service optimization.
* Strong negotiation skills and experience in vendor management and external partnerships.
* Capacity to travel as required for stakeholder engagement and professional development.

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