Chief Strategy & Growth Officer (CSGO)Job Title: Chief Strategy & Growth Officer (CSGO)Directorate: Strategy & GrowthReports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Location: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Reporting structureDirect supervision of:Executive Vice President (EVP) – CommercialSenior Vice President (SVP) – RegulationSVP – Demand ForecastingSVP – Integrated PlanningIndirect supervision of: All Strategy & Growth employeesJob summaryOur client is a major, government-backed power and water sector organisation at the centre of national infrastructure and the clean-energy transition. The Chief Strategy & Growth Officer (CSGO) shapes long-term system strategy and market design while enabling near-to-long-term growth.The role leads three critical capabilities: Sector Strategy, Commercial, and Regulation, acting as a principal advisor to the CEO and Board Committees on sector strategy, tariff/market evolution, and growth pathways that ensure security of supply at least cost and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
Main roles and responsibilities1) Strategy and leadershipServe as the CEO’s lead advisor on sector strategy, growth options, and market evolution; translate national energy policy into executable strategies and portfolios.Set the Strategy & Growth roadmap, performance framework, and risk posture; ensure integration with Operations, Assets, Finance, and Legal.Champion a data-driven culture; ensure modelling transparency and “single source of truth” assumptions across forecasting and planning.2) Sector strategy (Demand Forecasting and Integrated Planning)Oversee development of robust power and water demand forecasts (annual and in-year updates) and ensure timely communication to internal and external stakeholders.Lead integrated resource/system planning (future capacity and system requirements), including scenario design, techno-economic modelling, and evaluation of new technologies and bilateral options.Govern model standards, inputs, assumptions, and validation processes; mandate auditability and change control.Ensure clear hand-offs from long-term planning to Commercial and Operations (operational planning is not in scope).3) Commercial (Customer Management, Energy Trading and Business Development)Direct customer strategy for regulated and unregulated customers, including account planning, bespoke commercial structures, and satisfaction insights.Govern energy trading activity (near-term trades and interconnection opportunities) in line with market rules, risk limits, and least-cost objectives; approve trading frameworks and counterparties.Lead business development for new commercial initiatives (new products, bilateral agreements, cross-border opportunities) in coordination with Legal, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), and Finance; ensure bankable, value-accretive deals.4) Regulation (Economic Regulation and Technical Regulations)Own the organisation’s position on economic regulation (price control constructs, market mechanisms) and technical regulations in collaboration with key system stakeholders.Lead engagements with authorities on methodology and rules; ensure internal readiness and compliance with approved market designs.Anticipate regulatory risk/opportunity and drive evidence-based proposals that strengthen sustainability and cost efficiency.5) Stakeholder and sector advocacyBuild trusted senior relationships across regulators, sector entities, generators/producers, interconnector partners, and key customers; represent the organisation in high-stakes forums and consultations.Communicate complex model outputs and regulatory proposals in clear, non-technical language for executive and Board decisions.6) Governance, risk and performanceEstablish governance across forecasting and planning.Set commercial and trading risk limits with Finance/Treasury and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM); ensure pre-trade approvals and post-trade performance reporting.Drive continuous improvement, capability building, and succession planning across the Strategy & Growth directorate.Standard leadership responsibilitiesDevelop directorate strategy, policies, and procedures aligned to organisational objectives; refresh as needed.Coach, mentor, and develop leaders and teams; create a strong performance and talent pipeline.Lead annual budget planning and performance reporting for the directorate.Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and practices using international leading practice and change-management disciplines.Promote and ensure alignment to organisational values (sustainability, integrity, collaboration, innovation).
Job requirementsEmirati Nationality with UAE Family Book
Minimum educationMaster’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Finance, or related field (Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Public Policy (MPP) preferred).Minimum experienceMinimum 16 years’ progressive experience in power and water sector strategy, market design and regulation, system planning, or commercial leadership.At least 5 years in an executive leadership role within a complex, multi-stakeholder utility/energy environment.Demonstrated track record in integrated resource planning, market/regulatory change, and high-value commercial outcomes.
Key competencies Behavioural:Drive organisational excellenceEncourage continuous learningBuild effective relationshipsCommunicate with impactAdopt a strategic mindsetTechnical:Sector strategy and scenario planningIntegrated resource/system planning and modellingDemand forecasting and analytics governanceEconomic regulation and price control designTechnical regulationsEnergy markets and tradingBusiness development and partnership structuringStakeholder engagement and communicationStrategy and business planningNegotiationSector knowledgeTechnical writingProject/programme management