Executive Director, Crisis Management (UAE National)
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
A semi-government organization in Abu Dhabi seeks an Executive Director to lead HSE and crisis management functions. The role involves developing HSE strategy, directing emergency response, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building a strong safety culture.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Own the HSE strategy, framework, and standards across all operational sites and activities
- Lead operational safety, ensuring hazards and risks are identified, assessed, and controlled
- Direct crisis and emergency response during major incidents, coordinating teams and decision making under pressure
- Develop and maintain emergency response, business continuity, and disaster recovery plans
- Run HSE audits, inspections, crisis simulations, and readiness drills across departments
- Ensure compliance with UAE and Abu Dhabi HSE legislation, environmental regulations, and industry standards
- Coordinate with government authorities, emergency services, and regulatory bodies
- Establish command and control structures and clear reporting lines during incidents
- Investigate incidents, lead root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions
- Embed a strong safety culture across the operational workforce
- Brief senior leadership and the board on HSE performance, risk posture, and response readiness
- Build, train, and lead the HSE and crisis management team
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, or related field; Master's preferred
- 12+ years of experience with strong operational and HSE background in field based, industrial, or high risk environments
- Proven track record managing both HSE operations and real crises or major incidents
- Relevant certifications preferred: NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH, OSHAD, ISO 45001/14001 Lead Auditor, ISO 22301, or ICS certification
- Strong knowledge of UAE and Abu Dhabi HSE and business continuity requirements
- Experience within a semi government, government, or regulated operational environment preferred
Full Job Posting
Job Purpose
- Lead the organization's Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) and crisis management function, ensuring safe and compliant operations, operational readiness, and effective response to incidents, emergencies, and disruptions, in line with Abu Dhabi and UAE regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the HSE strategy, framework, and standards across all operational sites and activities.
- Lead operational safety, ensuring hazards and risks are identified, assessed, and controlled before they escalate.
- Direct crisis and emergency response during major incidents, coordinating teams and decision making under pressure.
- Develop and maintain emergency response, business continuity, and disaster recovery plans.
- Run HSE audits, inspections, crisis simulations, and readiness drills across departments.
- Ensure compliance with UAE and Abu Dhabi HSE legislation, environmental regulations, and industry standards.
- Coordinate with government authorities, emergency services, and regulatory bodies.
- Establish command and control structures and clear reporting lines during incidents.
- Investigate incidents, lead root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Embed a strong safety culture across the operational workforce.
- Brief senior leadership and the board on HSE performance, risk posture, and response readiness.
- Build, train, and lead the HSE and crisis management team.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, or a related field; Master's preferred.
- 12+ years of experience, with a strong operational and HSE background in field based, industrial, or high risk environments.
- Proven track record managing both HSE operations and real crises or major incidents, not just planning for them.
- Relevant certifications preferred, such as NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH, OSHAD, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 Lead Auditor or Implementer, ISO 22301, or ICS certification.
- Strong knowledge of UAE and Abu Dhabi HSE and business continuity requirements.
- Experience within a semi government, government, or regulated operational environment preferred.
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