Director Strategy and Marketing - Thales

Location: Riyadh Saudi Arabia

In fast changing markets customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace transportation defence security and space our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrows possible.

We have been present in Saudi Arabia for 40 years and with over 600 employees to date we are growing rapidly. Together we are delivering our signalling control and train protection systems for the NorthSouth Railway (NSR) the longest system of its kind in the world. Together we are key suppliers of inflight entertainment and connectivity systems as well as air traffic management solutions in Saudi. We are making Saudi Arabia a safer place by securing the countrys critical infrastructure and esecurity solutions that secure the countrys electronic payment systems. Thales has been selected to supply major electronic systems for air defence and the Group also supplied communication and optronic systems for the Army the Saudi Arabia National Guards and the Air Force.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND MISSIONS

• Define the Region strategy and its contribution to the SBP process while supporting Corp/GBUs/BLs in the definition and the coordinated execution of their incountry strategies.
• Provide BLs with insights on local market dynamics opportunities & competitive environment needs and expectations to grow the pipeline. Enrich and guide BLs market participation strategy product policy prioritization/adjustments and marketing plans.
• Contribute to the Group M&A strategy execution through target identification participation in the development of acquisition rationale and integration of the target into Thales.
• Develop the strategic narrative that demonstrates the economic and social value of Thales to the local economy to maximize opportunities for local investment funding.
• Assess the opportunity for greater pullthrough of Group products to the country of destination in coordination with the BLs.
• Identify transversal multiGBU customer or market segment requirements to underpin the need for new segmentbased offers.
• Support and animate the region SAMs/KAMs population in the definition and activation of their accountfocused engagement plans. Develop/personalize accountspecific integrated value propositions and value selling content. Leverage relevant segment marketing content & campaign assets.
• Localize develop and execute integrated marketing campaigns activated through the Communications team channel strategy in support of the local reputation of the company and region demand generation efforts. Leverage Digital Marketing capabilities to optimize local customer engagement. Track campaign KPIs.
• Develop and execute the local Sales Enablement efforts.
• Support complex capture teams that are tuned to local customer selection criteria with the support of value & bid marketing (value props Price to Win black hats) and support achievement of GMOI targets.
• Drive local Marketing Network excellence and the performance plan aligned to the changing needs of the business and enduser markets.

DECISIONS OWNED / KEY DELIVERABLES

• Region Strategy & Marketing plan
• Region SA/KA engagement plans
• Thales brand alignment
• Marketing Budget

KEY INTERACTIONS (as required)

• The Account Team: BL Sales Manager Project Teams Capture teams Service teams Account Marketing
• Local Head of Account management
• Heads of GBUs GBU VP Sales BL Sales director
• Account Executive Sponsor
• Segment Marketing
• Digital
• Communications
• Any other member of the Thales organization and leadership as required (Finance Legal Quality Program Bid)

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 15 years experience in a senior leadership management role
• 10 years experience in strategic account management
• Proven experience in customer management and engagement
• Track record of leading diverse and senior blended teams of various backgrounds
• Knowledge of KSA business and political challenges and opportunities is a must
• Proven background in the Aerospace industry
• Commercial and Project knowledge skills to manage project delivery issues and develop strategies on new business
• Experience in either of the following domains; Aeronautics Transportation Cyberspace Airline Inflight Entertainment systems or relevant market verticals

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• MBA BSc/BA in business administration or Engineering background (desired)

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills

• Solid experience in Strategy development and the orchestration of the strategic planning process
• Solid B2B marketing experience/skills especially in terms of marketing strategy & planning and campaign activation
• Experience in the markets of Thales
• Ability to drive a customer centric mindset shift
• Ability to federate a team around a common project/objective
• Datadriven with the ability to take or recommend decisions based on 80/20 analysis
• Ability to foster a KPIdriven learning culture (test & learn)

Soft Skills

• Politically aware and able to work sensitively where necessary
• Able to achieve results through networking and influencing as well as by more direct means
• Listening skill; Service attitude (internally externally)
• Acts naturally as a team builder and is a good communicator
• Ability to convince persuade and negotiate both internally & externally
• Communication crosscultural and interpersonal skills

Languages

• Fluent in English
• Arabic and French desirable

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here apply now!