General Manager Industrial Competitiveness & International Trade

Role Purpose

As the General Manager of Industrial Competitiveness, you will spearhead the strategic initiatives designed to elevate the national industrial sector’s standing on the global stage. You will lead the technical and diplomatic efforts in international trade negotiations, ensuring that trade agreements (FTA, WTO, GCC) serve the national economic interest. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on removing trade barriers, optimizing customs unions, and fostering regional industrial integration.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Trade Policy & Negotiations

• Trade Agreement Oversight: Lead the technical analysis and execution of international trade agreements, including the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and GCC-wide frameworks.

• Negotiation Leadership: Act as a key advisor to the national negotiating teams, providing technical depth on market access, health and safety standards, technical barriers to trade (TBT), and trade remedies.

• WTO Advocacy: Support and align the entity’s positions within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework, ensuring national trade policies are robust during biennial ministerial conferences.

2. Industrial Competitiveness & Integration

• Regional Integration: Manage the "Customs Union" portfolio, developing policies that enhance industrial integration across GCC countries and addressing cross-border logistical and regulatory challenges.

• Legislative Reform: Drive the modernization of laws and regulations related to trade agreements to ensure they remain agile and supportive of local manufacturers.

• Impact Assessment: Conduct deep-dive economic assessments to weigh the gains of international agreements against potential market risks and costs.

3. Operational & Organizational Excellence

• Strategic Planning: Develop and oversee the implementation of operational plans that align with national industrial targets and market demands.

• Performance Intelligence: Establish and monitor KPIs for all departmental activities, utilizing data to propose continuous improvements and high-level reporting.

• Resource Management: Lead workforce planning, talent acquisition, and specialized training programs to build a world-class team of trade and industry experts.

4. Representation & Diplomacy

• High-Level Representation: Represent the Entity at international forums, industrial cooperation committees, and financial/economic summits.

• Committee Management: Oversee and manage the files for technical committees and industrial development task forces, ensuring all mandates are met within deadlines.

Preferred Candidate Profile

Experience & Technical Skills

• Trade Diplomacy: Extensive experience in international trade negotiations, specifically regarding "Rules of Origin," "Market Access," and "Trade Remedies."

• Economic Analysis: Ability to interpret global market trends and their direct impact on domestic industrial competitiveness.

• Regulatory Expertise: Strong background in GCC Industrial Cooperation and WTO compliance.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Ability to translate high-level government mandates into actionable departmental goals.

• Diplomatic Communication: Excellence in representing national interests in multicultural and multi-lateral environments.

• Operational Rigor: A track record of managing complex administrative and technical units with a focus on quality and accountability.