Network Development Manager - Automotive

Job Role:

To own the end-to-end development of new business sites and market locations across the Group's automotive, industrial machinery, and value-added services portfolio — from site scoping and feasibility through design, contracting, construction oversight, and cross-functional launch readiness — ensuring consistent, brand-compliant, on-time delivery across Syria today and new African markets as the Group expands.

Key Accountabilities:

• Scope and evaluate candidate sites/locations and lead development of the supporting business plan
• Drive feasibility studies through to approval with relevant internal stakeholders
• Coordinate design development and sign-off for each site
• Lead contract negotiation and execution with landlords, contractors, and other third parties
• Select and manage contractors through to construction completion, overseeing progress from a business/commercial perspective rather than technical project management
• Coordinate IT, marketing, and operations teams to ensure full readiness ahead of site launch
• Own post-launch monitoring of OEM/brand standards compliance at each live site
• For Africa, take ownership of the full development lifecycle once Business Development has confirmed the partner and location
• Contribute to the Group's broader network expansion strategy and market prioritization
• Build and maintain relationships with local authorities, landlords, and contractor networks in each market
• Standardize processes and lessons learned across sites to improve delivery speed and consistency

Knowledge / Skill Area:

• Business case and feasibility development for new sites/locations
• Multi-project coordination across parallel, interdependent workstreams
• Site/location evaluation from a commercial and operational perspective
• Non-technical oversight of design and construction processes
• OEM/principal brand standards and compliance requirements
• Regulatory and approval processes across Syria and target African markets
• IT infrastructure and marketing readiness requirements for site launch
• Contract and commercial-legal fundamentals
• Financial acumen sufficient to evaluate and present business cases

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; MBA preferred
• 8-12 years of experience in network/market expansion, project development, or business development
• Background in automotive, industrial equipment, or multi-site retail/distribution preferred, not mandatory
• Prior experience in emerging or frontier markets (Africa, MENA) strongly preferred
• Strong stakeholder management, project coordination, and commercial acumen
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively across current and prospective markets
• Preferably Arabic speaker who can comfortably visit tough markets