Country Manager- Marketplace Platform

Country Manager – Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)

Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Reporting to: Group CEO / Group Executive Leadership

Role Overview

The Country Manager - Saudi Arabia will lead the establishment, growth, and long-term success of the Group’s business in KSA. This is a senior leadership role with full country ownership, responsible for translating group strategy into a localized, scalable, and commercially successful operation.

The role requires a strong business builder - someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, understands marketplace and retail-driven business models, and can navigate the complexities of the Saudi market. The Country Manager will represent the company at a country level, drive commercial performance, build high-performing teams, and ensure operational, regulatory, and cultural alignment.

This role is ideal for an entrepreneurial leader who thrives in growth-stage environments and enjoys building businesses from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Market Development

• Develop and execute the country strategy aligned with group objectives, adapted to Saudi market realities.
• Identify growth opportunities across marketplace platforms, retail, digital, and multi-vertical business lines.
• Lead market entry, expansion, and localization initiatives, ensuring strong product–market fit.
• Continuously assess market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape to inform strategic decisions.

2. Commercial & Business Performance

• Own full P&L responsibility for the Saudi operation, driving revenue growth and cost efficiency.
• Build and scale commercial channels, partnerships, and key accounts.
• Lead pricing, go-to-market strategies, and revenue diversification initiatives.
• Establish strong relationships with strategic partners, landlords, suppliers, and ecosystem stakeholders.

3. Operations & Execution

• Set up and stabilize end-to-end country operations, including sales, operations, marketing, finance, and administration.
• Establish operational frameworks, KPIs, and reporting structures to support scalability and governance.
• Ensure seamless coordination with group shared services and cross-country teams.
• Drive operational excellence while maintaining agility in a fast-changing environment.

4. People Leadership & Culture

• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing, cross-functional leadership team in KSA.
• Hire, develop, and retain top local and regional talent aligned with company values and culture.
• Foster a performance-driven, accountable, and collaborative work environment.
• Act as a culture carrier, embedding group values while respecting local business norms.

5. Compliance, Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Ensure full compliance with Saudi labor law, commercial regulations, and licensing requirements.
• Manage relationships with regulators, government entities, and external advisors.
• Act as the senior representative of the company in Saudi Arabia with internal and external stakeholders.
• Uphold strong governance, risk management, and ethical business practices.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Country Manager, General Manager, Business Head, or equivalent senior leadership role , preferably in KSA or GCC.
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling businesses , ideally within marketplace platforms, retail, digital businesses, or multi-vertical groups.
• Deep understanding of the Saudi Arabian market , including consumer behavior, partnerships, regulatory landscape, and local business culture.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing P&L, growth strategies, and operational scaling .
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across sales, operations, marketing, finance, and administration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or a related field; MBA or equivalent is a strong advantage.
• Fluency in English is required; Arabic is a strong advantage.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into practical execution.
• Strong people leader who builds trust, empowers teams, and drives performance.
• Highly adaptable, resilient, and comfortable operating in ambiguity and growth-stage environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, able to represent the company at senior levels.
• Culturally aware, with the ability to navigate and respect Saudi business norms and practices.

What Success Looks Like in the First 12 Months

• A fully established and compliant Saudi entity with stable operations and governance.
• Strong initial market presence with clear traction across key business verticals.
• A capable, engaged local leadership team in place.
• Sustainable revenue growth is supported by solid partnerships and operational discipline.
• Clear roadmap for scale aligned with group strategy and long-term growth objectives.