Chief of Staff to CEO

Location: Dubai (International Travel Required – UK & US)

Reporting to: CEO

Salary - Open dependent on experience 

Role Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff to support the CEO of a fast-growing international retail business. Candidates with a background within retail, ecommerce, consumer, or high-growth businesses preferred.

This is a pivotal leadership role suited to a commercially minded, highly organised, and strategically driven individual who can translate ideas into execution within a fast-paced environment.

Working closely with the CEO, you will help drive alignment, accountability, and operational effectiveness across multiple business functions and international markets.

You will act as a trusted partner to the CEO, ensuring priorities are executed efficiently, communication remains streamlined, and the business operates with clarity and momentum.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys solving complex challenges, and is motivated by supporting business growth at scale.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partner to the CEO

• Act as a trusted partner across strategic and operational matters
• Support the execution of key business initiatives and growth plans
• Assist with prioritisation across competing projects and objectives
• Prepare executive briefings, presentations, and leadership materials
• Help ensure leadership focus remains aligned to highest-impact priorities

2. Business Execution & Accountability

• Support delivery of business priorities across departments
• Track actions, timelines, and accountability across projects
• Monitor progress against commercial objectives and operational goals
• Identify challenges and proactively support solutions
• Ensure follow-through from leadership meetings and key decisions

3. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with leadership teams across multiple functions including product, marketing, ecommerce, operations, retail, and finance
• Help maintain alignment between business objectives and execution
• Facilitate communication and decision-making across teams
• Improve visibility and collaboration across departments

4. International Operations

• Support collaboration across international teams and offices
• Assist with global projects and expansion initiatives
• Help maintain consistency in communication, execution, and operational standards
• Coordinate effectively across multiple locations and time zones

5. Operational Improvement & Scaling

• Identify opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiency
• Support the implementation of scalable ways of working
• Assist in strengthening reporting structures and internal processes
• Contribute to organisational clarity and business effectiveness

6. Leadership Support & Communication

• Support internal communication on behalf of the CEO
• Draft updates, presentations, and key business messaging
• Help reinforce a culture of accountability, pace, and performance
• Represent leadership priorities where appropriate

7. Project & Initiative Ownership

• Lead or support high-priority cross-functional projects
• Coordinate initiatives from planning through to execution
• Ensure projects remain on track against deadlines and objectives
• Provide structured updates on progress, risks, and outcomes

kills & Experience Required

• Previous experience in a Chief of Staff, Operations, Strategy, Senior EA, Consulting, or Business Management role
• Background within retail, ecommerce, consumer, or high-growth businesses preferred
• Experience working within fast-paced scale-up environments
• Strong commercial awareness and business understanding
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills
• Ability to operate strategically while maintaining attention to detail
• Strong communication and stakeholder management capability
• Comfortable managing changing priorities and ambiguity
• Experience operating across international markets and time zones

Personal Attributes

• Highly proactive and solutions-oriented
• Calm under pressure with strong prioritisation skills
• Organised, detail-focused, and execution-driven
• Professional, discreet, and dependable
• Adaptable within fast-moving environments
• Confident working independently and making informed decisions
• Positive, resilient, and growth-minded

What Success Looks Like

• Leadership operates with greater clarity and efficiency
• Business priorities move forward consistently and on time
• Teams remain aligned and accountable
• Communication and decision-making are streamlined
• International operations run cohesively across regions
• The business is well-supported for continued growth and expansion

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to work closely with the CEO of a growing international retail business and gain exposure across multiple areas of operations, strategy, and leadership.

You will play a key role in supporting growth, improving execution, and helping the business scale effectively within a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.

REF:181877