Manager - Operation & Development - IO

Job Description

About The Ports Cluster

The Ports Cluster, part of AD Ports Group, owns and operates 10 ports & terminals facilitating trade and building capacity whilst connecting Abu Dhabi globally. The cluster is focused on achieving sustainable growth, forging partnerships with local and global market leaders with the goal of diversifying and expanding capacity to meet the growing and diverse needs of customers while solidifying Abu Dhabi as a global trade and logistics hub.

Job Purpose

The Manager of Port Operations Development is responsible for analyzing and developing the operations plans of our international port facilities, ensuring efficient and safe management of cargo and vessel movements, and recommending implementation strategies to optimize port operations for the other streams. This role requires an understanding of local and international regulations, industry standards, and company policies and is also able to produce operations plans to be used part of proposals and financial models. #

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities:

• Analyze and develop operational requirements of international port facilities, ensuring the efficient and safe handling of cargo, vessel movements, and other port-related activities.
• Advice in implementing and enforcing port regulations, safety protocols, and environmental standards in compliance with local and international maritime laws and industry best practices. Facilitate sharing of knowledge and key operation standards among port facilities to promote standardization and compliance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all port stakeholders, including customers, shipping lines, government agencies, and other relevant parties.
• Coordinate with other departments, such as Finance, ETS (Engineering & Technical services), Business development and Human Resources, to ensure the right proposal for the operations to support business objectives.
• Provide high-level recommendations and informed views regarding new International projects including Port and Terminal capacity with bottleneck identifications. Provide high-level recommendations and informed views regarding new international projects including Port and Terminal capacity with bottleneck identifications.
• Prepare the OPEX for international port operations, supporting the financial model input and manpower plans
• Participate in market research and analysis to identify new growth opportunities for the company's international port operations. This includes evaluating the potential for new routes, services, or partnerships, as well as assessing the competitive landscape.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to plan and execute infrastructure development projects for international port facilities. This includes evaluating the feasibility of port expansions, modernization, and automation to improve efficiency, capacity, and service quality.
• Technology Implementation: evaluate the potential for technology implementation in the company's international port operations. This may include adopting new cargo handling equipment, communication systems, or port management software.
• Risk Management and Contingency Planning: Identify potential risks associated with international port operations and develop contingency plans to mitigate their impact on the company's operations and financial performance.
• Training and Development: Collaborate with Human Resources to identify and develop and implement training programs for new startup international port operations staff. Ensure that employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their duties effectively and adapt to changes in the industry.
  
  

People Management Responsibilities:

• If needed develop and implement training and development programs to enhance the team's technical capabilities.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration within the engineering team.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Maritime Studies, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in port operations, with at least 5 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Professional certifications in port management, logistics, or related disciplines, such as Certified Port Executive (CPE) or Certified Maritime Manager (CMM), are highly desirable.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of additional languages is a plus. .
• Experience working in international port environments and managing multi-site operations is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of port and maritime operations, including cargo handling, vessel movements, and port logistics.
• Exceptional understanding of local and international maritime laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Proficient in relevant software applications, such as port management systems, MS Office, and other industry-specific tools.