Job Description
Head of Business Operations – ISE
Location: Riyadh
Grade 13
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join International systems Engineering (ISE), a BAE Systems majority owned joint venture Company as a Head of Business Operations The successful individual will be working for a company at the forefront of ISE commitment as part of the economic offset companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Working across the ISE Functions and Project Teams will offer a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the development and growth of ISE in KSA.
BAE Systems is the UK Government’s nominated Prime Contractor under the Government-to-Government arrangements that are in place to provide equipment, support and training to Saudi Arabia. We provide maintenance of Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft and train RSAF personnel safely in a training environment in how to use their aircraft, equipment and weapons.
BAE Systems Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the Saudi Arabian National Agenda including Saudisation and the training and development of Saudi National capability through the growth of the Saudi National Partner Companies thereby reinforcing Industrialisation and Partnerships.
Responsibilities
The Head of Business Operations strengthens execution discipline across ISE by ensuring alignment between strategy, programme delivery performance, governance structures, and leadership priorities. The role leads enterprise performance visibility, supports delivery maturity across programmes, oversees structured tracking of leadership priorities, and drives transformation initiatives that enable ISE to scale as a trusted national digital and defense capability partner. The position acts as a central integration point between strategy direction and execution across the organization, ensuring that the strategic direction set by Business Excellence and approved by leadership is translated into structured execution plans, delivery priorities, and measurable outcomes.
Job Requirements:
Strategic Execution and Leadership Priorities:
• Execute the approved strategic direction by translating the strategy into structured operational plans, programme priorities, transformations initiatives, and measurable delivery outcome.
• Translate leadership priorities into structured execution plans across programmes and functions • Maintain visibility of delivery confidence, risks, and dependencies across the portfolio
• Track implementation of leadership decisions and ensure timely follow through
• Support alignment between enterprise priorities and programme level delivery Enterprise Transformation Delivery:
• Support design and coordination of transformation initiatives that strengthen delivery maturity and organizational scalability
• Track implementation progress across strategic initiatives
• Identify barriers to execution and coordinate resolution with leadership stakeholders • Ensure transformation outcomes remain aligned with ISE growth priorities and national capability objectives Programme Performance Visibility:
• Strengthen management reporting structures across programmes and functions
• Improve clarity and consistency of performance information presented to leadership
• Support development of delivery confidence indicators across the portfolio
• Ensure leadership visibility of programme performance, risks, and recovery actions KPI and Performance Framework:
• Develop and maintain enterprise KPI structures aligned with business priorities
Improve visibility of operational performance across programmes and enabling functions
• Support introduction of performance dashboards that strengthen leadership insight
• Promote consistent performance measurement practices across the organization Project Controls and Delivery Discipline:
• Support strengthening of project controls practices across ISE delivery portfolios • Improve consistency of reporting standards across programmes
• Increase predictability and transparency of delivery performance
• Work with programme leaders and the PM community to reinforce governance discipline Operational Integration and Governance Rhythm:
• Improve coordination between strategic planning, programme execution, and leadership oversight
• Strengthen effectiveness of management performance reviews
• Support simplification of reporting flows impacting delivery performance
• Promote consistent executive reporting standards across the organization Authority and Scope:
• Participates in leadership performance reviews and programme delivery reviews • Supports alignment between transformation initiatives and operational delivery
• Influences enterprise reporting structures and performance visibility frameworks • Engages across programme and functional leadership to strengthen execution alignment
• Acts as a coordination point between leadership priorities and organizational delivery activity
Knowledge & Experience
Senior leader with experience in programme delivery, enterprise PMO, transformation execution, or operations leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of project controls environments and performance reporting structures.
• Experience operating within complex delivery organizations preferred.
• Ability to work effectively across programme and functional leadership environments. • Strong analytical capability and structured executive communication skills.
• Comfortable supporting leadership decision making in a high accountability environment. Success Measures:
• Improved clarity and consistency of leadership reporting across programmes.
• Increased visibility of delivery confidence across ISE portfolios.
• Strengthened project controls alignment across delivery environments.
• Improved tracking and closure of leadership priorities and transformation initiatives.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including a generous leave and leave allowance, a full health care scheme and access to discounted gym membership.
ISE
International Systems Engineering (ISE), established in 1988, is part of BAE Systems’ global portfolio. For over 30 years.
International System Engineering (ISE) is a trusted provider in delivering secure mission-critical solutions, services and cutting-edge technologies. ISE products portfolio includes Cybersecurity, Secure Infrastructure/Cloud Management, Secure Network & Domain Management, Application Support & Development, End User Computing & Support, and IT Service Management.
Aligned with the Kingdom’s national objectives, ISE is committed to investing in local talent, advanced technologies, and strong partnerships with both international and local suppliers. Our efforts continues to grow in line with Saudi Vision 2030 in improving national capabilities in high technology areas and contribute to building a highly skilled, inclusive, and future-ready team.
We protect what matters.
We’re a skilled, collaborative, and increasingly diverse community of around 100,000 people in over 40 countries, creating some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace, marine, land, and security solutions.
At our core is an overarching purpose – we play our part in protecting those who protect us, making the future more secure for everyone. Those who connect with our purpose feel pride in being part of something bigger; motivated by their ability to make a difference by creating bold, pioneering products and services that can change the world we live in.
To do this, we must always look to the future to find new ways and new ideas to advance – whilst putting our people front and centre. Championing better ways of doing things, striving for excellence in everything we do, being more efficient and sustainable.
We have a 40+ year heritage of working in data and security. Since 2000, we have expanded rapidly through the digital revolution, working in multiple industries and building our portfolio of cutting edge solutions. Our new company, Digital Intelligence, launched at the beginning of 2022 bringing together digital capabilities from across the BAE Systems Group.
To secure our ambitious future, we are committed to investing in our people, with the tools, support and inclusive environment for you to embrace a fulfilling career. Life at BAE Systems is always dynamic and challenging, with immense opportunity, and lifelong development available to all.
Whether you’re an experienced professional or just stepping out into the world of work, we’ve a wide range of career opportunities available. Whether it's engineering or technology, project management or manufacturing, you'll be helping our customers protect what really matters.
- Opportunities -
Working at BAE Systems brings immense opportunity. A long and fulfilling career, with first-class training and lifelong development available to all, with all the support to help make it happen.
The scale at which we operate generates endless opportunities to work across diverse roles, specialisms, cultures and countries. Achieving our growth ambitions needs everyone to own their role and find their unique place. This is a place to be curious, build your network, feel empowered and motivated by your team, sharing in our purpose to protect what matters and create a safer future.
As many of our team can demonstrate, it’s possible to have multiple careers throughout your time here. There’s always the opportunity to retrain or reskill, whether through a formal programme or exploring our on demand virtual learning platform where you can explore tailored resources aligned to each of our functions.
- Learning beyond your role -
We provide the opportunity to get involved in projects outside of your primary remit. We encourage you to seek a stretch project in which you’ll gain different experiences. With our huge portfolio of products and our multinational presence, there are opportunities to get involved in something different around every corner. Additionally, we encourage involvement in community projects, STEM initiatives and our employee resource groups, which all provide valuable learning and development experiences that you may not have access to in your day-to-day role.
- Learning and resources -
Lifelong learning is a reality at BAE Systems, and we’re proud to be a diverse, inclusive, and supportive employer, helping everyone build a career to be proud of, delivering our purpose of protecting those that protect us all.
Our resources are accessible at any time and from any device and consider inclusive learning styles by offering these through a variety of platforms such as videos, books, guides and structured virtual learning programmes through our digital learning plaform, Spark.