Country Manager – Iraq

Wood is currently looking for a Country Manager to join our team in Basra, Iraq

The role is responsible for all operations in Iraq and will be the first point of contact for all our Iraqi based customers, working closely with Dubai based Contract Managers to ensure exceptional service to our customers. The role is also integral for developing future business through promoting our service line offerings and identifying opportunities to expand current service lines. They will also form close relations with with both local and national government departments and agencies

A key objective of the role is to support nationalisation; promoting and providing development programmes for national personnel thus increasing national to expat ratio.

Management and oversight of key position succession planning including own position with career development plans maintained for all direct reports.

This role is open for Iraq Nationals only

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Accountable to the Vice President – Iraq Operations for the safe and profitable delivery of Wood Iraq Operations Business.
• Maintain a high standard of customer relations, service quality and client satisfaction.
• Build and maintain relationships with National and local government officials.
• Annual budget planning, development, preparation and implementation.
• Work closely with business development to grow business, actively participating in presentations to customers and in tenders.
• Responsible for development, competency and performance management of the Iraq Management team putting succession plans in place as appropriate.
• Provide direction and leadership of Iraq teams to meet customer expectations, commercial performance and continuous improvement.
• Fully familiar with Wood security requirements and ensure local compliance with same
• Lead local Emergency Response Team
• Work with the Regional Technical support to ensure that PEER reviews / Audits / Investigations are undertaken in a planned manner as required.
• Promote Wood to customers, manufacturers and suppliers.
• Coordinate with clients in implementing the HSEQ requirements such as HSE improvement plans, Duty of Care, personnel safety inductions and incident reporting and investigations.
• Ensuring Wood Iraq Operations is fully compliant with Iraq legislation and managing any employment law matters in conjunction with legal and P&O teams.
• Government relations and interface is a key requirement to ensure good relations are mainitained and business is operated compliantly, meeting any governmental and reporting requirements

Working Relationships

Internal:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate across the business interfaces, including in country teams plus Dubai functional support.
• Engage with and promote the community development including: networking/knowledge sharing.
• Maintain communication with respective focal points.
• Maintain interfaces across functional and business boundaries

External: 

• Communicate and co-operate with external stakeholders including: industrial bodies, academia, market intelligence, local authorities, governing bodies, legal support, relevant conferences, vendors, business acquisition and business development, client interface (as appropriate and requested).

Level of Influence & decision making authority

• Responsible for management of local Iraqi budgets
• Management of Wood Iraq Operations Social Responsibility programme
• A broad range of experience and ability to be flexible in the approach to the role.
• Good understanding of the commercial drivers in our business.
• Knowledge of Wood procedures, tools, systems and people.
• At all times act in interest of Wood
• Key client interface
• Responsible for all employees assigned to clients; headcount of circa 700+

Qualifications:

• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is desirable
• University degree – optional or college diploma

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• Minimum of 10 years O&G Industry experience including Iraq Oil and Gas onshore operations.
• Project Management experience and previous experience in client facing role a requirement.
• Strong Presentation and IT Skills

Personal attributes:

• Flexible to adapt to the growth of the company and willing to learn and develop their own career.
• A committed safety leader.
• High degree of customer and delivery focus with personal energy and drive to establish, set-up and grow a new business.
• Flexible and creative solution provider.
• Ability to manage change, analyse and solve problems.
• Capable of providing direction, guidance and support to the team members.
• Understanding of construction activity.
• Familiar with O&G activity at level of customer engagement
• Experience of development and implementation of management systems and competence management frameworks.
• Fully familiar with Wood Code of business conduct and compliance with same at all times, recognising when at risk of breach and taking action in accordance with CoBC.