Director Automotive

About the Role

This opportunity is with a leading automotive group based in the UAE, serving as an authorized distributor for several international vehicle brands. The organization runs numerous showrooms and service centers across the UAE covering new vehicle sales, aftersales, fleet and leasing, as well as used car divisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the overall automotive business performance within the UAE, including ownership of the profit and loss statement encompassing revenue, gross profit, operating margins, and working capital for new vehicle sales, aftersales, fleet/leasing, and pre-owned vehicle operations.
• Develop and implement annual and strategic multi-year business plans per brand, monitoring outcomes and applying corrective measures as necessary to achieve or exceed goals.
• Lead and support brand managers and showroom leaders aiming to surpass sales targets, market share expansion, and customer satisfaction index benchmarks for all OEMs represented.
• Maintain strict adherence to brand standards throughout the sales process, customer engagement journey, showroom presentation, and digital interfaces.
• Drive the launch and marketing of new vehicle models and facelifts in collaboration with OEM marketing and product teams.
• Oversee aftersales services, parts inventory management, and service capacity to optimize customer retention, absorption rates, and profitability.
• Implement initiatives such as service campaigns, loyalty programs, and digital service platforms to bolster repeat business.
• Collaborate with the fleet and leasing division to expand corporate sales, government contracts, and critical B2B relationships.
• Align product offerings and financing solutions with customer demands and market trends.
• Serve as the senior liaison with OEM regional offices, leading business reviews, negotiating targets and incentives.
• Contribute to long-term portfolio and strategic planning, including potential new brands, digital retail innovations, and mobility solutions.
• Build and nurture a strong leadership team across sales, aftersales, marketing, and operational units, with focus on talent growth and Emiratization compliance.
• Ensure all facilities adhere to safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Leverage data-driven decision-making through regular review meetings, pipeline management, and performance tracking dashboards.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the automotive sector, preferably within major automotive groups or OEM distributors in the UAE or broader GCC region.
• Demonstrated success in multi-brand profit and loss management at senior leadership levels such as Director, General Manager, or Head of Business Unit covering retail and aftersales operations.
• Proven capability in achieving sales growth, increasing market share, and enhancing margins within a highly competitive environment.
• Expertise in retail automotive operations, aftersales business profitability, and superior customer experience management.
• Bachelor's degree is mandatory; advanced degrees such as MBA or Master’s in Business, Engineering, or related fields are advantageous.