Chief Strategy Officer [GCC TMT]

Chief Strategy & Regulatory Officer (Confidential)

Location: Bahrain

This is a rare opportunity to step into a CXO role reporting directly to the CEO and Board , at a major business operating at the intersection of telecom, digital infrastructure, fintech, and enterprise technology.

The organisation is entering a critical phase of its evolution. With a clear multi-year strategy already in motion, the focus now shifts from design to execution, optimisation, and value creation at scale, while preparing to develop a new subsequent long-term strategy for continued growth.

This role sits at the centre of that journey.

You will act as a strategic integrator across the business , translating group-level ambition into locally relevant, commercially viable outcomes, while ensuring strong regulatory positioning and disciplined performance delivery.

This is not a pure strategy role. It is about owning outcomes , shaping decisions at the highest level, and ensuring that strategy becomes reality.

The Opportunity

You will:

• Work directly with the CEO and Executive Committees on the most important decisions in the business
• Own and drive execution of a multi-year strategy, treating it as your own
• Play a central role in shaping future growth strategies across digital, fintech, and adjacent areas
• Lead critical regulatory relationships and influence external outcomes
• Translate complex, cross-functional performance into clear, actionable insight for leadership and the Board

This is a role for someone who wants real impact, visibility, and accountability .

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Leadership & Execution

• Take ownership of the existing multi-year strategy and drive its successful execution across the organisation
• Translate strategic priorities into clear, measurable plans, aligned to capital allocation and business performance
• Lead deep strategic analysis across growth areas including digital, fintech, and new market opportunities
• Identify and evaluate partnerships, M&A, and expansion opportunities to support long-term value creation
• Prepare the organisation for its next strategic cycle while ensuring current priorities are fully delivered

Performance Governance & Value Creation

• Establish and lead enterprise-wide performance governance frameworks
• Ensure strategic priorities are tracked, measured, and executed with discipline
• Provide clear visibility of performance to the Executive Committee and Board
• Translate complex operational and financial data into concise, decision-ready insights
• Drive improved decision quality through analytics-led thinking and structured evaluation

Regulatory Leadership & External Engagement

• Lead relationships with regulators and key external stakeholders, ensuring strong credibility and influence
• Shape regulatory strategy to support commercial growth and innovation
• Secure approvals and enablement for new products, fintech initiatives, and infrastructure investments
• Provide high-quality regulatory and strategic counsel to senior leadership

Executive Influence & Communication

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, providing clear, solution-oriented recommendations
• Lead board-level presentations, adapting between high-level summaries and detailed analysis as required
• Ensure strong information flow across the leadership team and alignment on key priorities

Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing team across strategy and regulatory functions
• Foster a culture of accountability, clarity, and execution excellence

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a senior leader who combines strategic depth with execution capability .

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience, with significant time at senior leadership or ExCo level
• Background in telecom, digital infrastructure, fintech, ICT, or similarly regulated environments
• Strong track record in strategy development and execution
• Experience engaging with regulators and navigating complex external environments
• Exposure to partnerships, M&A, or corporate development is highly valuable

Background

• Strategy consulting experience (e.g. top-tier or equivalent) is highly regarded
• Experience operating within complex, matrixed or group environments is advantageous

Capabilities

• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Ability to translate complexity into clear, actionable insight
• High credibility with senior stakeholders internally and externally
• Structured thinker with strong problem-solving capability
• Comfortable operating between detail and big-picture strategy

Other

• Arabic is a plus, not essential
• International experience is welcomed, GCC experience especially so

Why This Role

This is a high-impact, high-visibility position for someone who wants to:

• Operate at the centre of decision-making
• Shape the future direction of a complex, evolving business
• Drive real, measurable outcomes rather than theoretical strategy
• Build a legacy through execution, not just planning

Inclusive Hiring

We are committed to building diverse and inclusive leadership teams.

We welcome applications from local, regional, and international candidates , and encourage individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

Compensation is competitive and aligned with the seniority and impact of the role.

For any queries about the role, please reach out to George Berry, Head of Search at Aventus Global.