Director, Leisure and Recreation

Director, Leisure and Recreation
Location: Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Employment Type: Full-time
Candidates: Open to local and international candidates

Role Summary
The Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management and growth of the business. The role covers strategic planning, operational oversight, financial management, performance monitoring and business development, with a focus on building a scalable and commercially sustainable operating model. The Director will lead the development of existing projects, identify opportunities for new projects and locations, and ensure that all activities meet agreed performance, safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Business Development

1. Develop and execute the overall business strategy in line with the long-term vision and objectives.

2. Identify and evaluate opportunities for new recreational facilities, services and visitor experiences.

3. Lead expansion into new locations across the region, assessing market demand, site suitability and commercial feasibility.

4. Prepare business cases and investment proposals, including financial projections, operational requirements and implementation plans.

5. Establish a scalable operating model that allows growth across projects and locations under consistent standards.

Operations and Facilities Management

1. Oversee the day-to-day performance of all facilities and activities, whether directly operated or managed by third-party partners.

2. Ensure operational readiness, effective resource allocation and consistent service delivery across all locations.

3. Set and monitor operational standards, procedures and service quality requirements.

4. Oversee facility maintenance, equipment management and infrastructure requirements.

5. Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements to productivity, customer experience and cost efficiency.

Financial Management and Budget Oversight

1. Lead annual business planning and budgeting across the portfolio.

2. Monitor financial performance, including revenue, operating expenses, profitability and cash flow.

3. Review and challenge budgets, forecasts and financial assumptions from internal teams and third-party operators.

4. Identify opportunities for cost optimisation and revenue growth.

5. Evaluate capital expenditure requirements and provide investment recommendations to senior management.

6. Ensure strong financial controls, reporting and accountability across all operations.

Performance Management and Reporting

1. Establish a key performance indicator framework covering financial, operational, commercial, customer experience and safety performance.

2. Monitor performance against approved budgets, business plans and operational targets.

3. Conduct regular performance reviews with internal teams and external operators, identifying risks, gaps and corrective actions.

4. Prepare management reports and performance dashboards for senior management.

5. Drive continuous improvement and accountability across the organisation.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Management

1. Identify, evaluate and engage specialist operators, technical partners, suppliers and service providers.

2. Oversee external operators against contractual obligations, service levels and performance indicators.

3. Develop strategic partnerships, sponsorships and commercial collaborations to support growth.

4. Coordinate with relevant authorities to obtain permits, approvals and licences.

5. Represent the business with investors, partners, regulators and other key stakeholders.

Safety, Risk and Compliance

1. Establish and enforce safety, risk management and compliance frameworks across all facilities and activities.

2. Ensure all activities comply with applicable regulations and recognised international industry standards.

3. Oversee safety performance, incident reporting, emergency preparedness and corrective action.

4. Ensure specialised activities are managed or supervised by appropriately qualified personnel and operators.

5. Identify and mitigate operational, financial, legal and reputational risks.

Organisational Leadership and Development

1. Build and lead a capable management team to support current operations and future expansion.

2. Define organisational structures, roles, responsibilities and reporting lines across directly managed and outsourced operations.

3. Build a culture of accountability, safety, operational excellence and customer focus.

4. Oversee workforce planning, recruitment and capability development.

5. Ensure effective coordination between commercial, operational, financial and technical functions.

Minimum Requirements (Essential)

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Hospitality, Sports Management, Engineering or a related field.

2. At least 7 years of relevant professional experience.

3. At least 3 years in a senior management or operational leadership role.

4. Experience managing multi-site operations in leisure, recreation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment or a related industry.

5. Proven experience in business development, budgeting, financial management and operational performance improvement.

6. Experience managing third-party operators, commercial contracts or strategic partnerships.

7. Fluency in English, spoken and written.

Preferred Qualifications (Advantage)

1. Master’s degree or Master of Business Administration.

2. Seven years or more of relevant experience, including 3 years or more in senior leadership.

3. Experience launching a new business or expanding operations into multiple new locations.

4. Experience in leisure attractions, entertainment venues, theme parks, resorts, sports or recreational facilities.

5. Experience working with international brands, operating standards or quality frameworks.

6. Experience with public-private partnerships, licensing and regulatory approvals.

7. Experience preparing feasibility studies, business cases and investment proposals.

8. Fluency in Kurdish and/or Arabic.

Preferred Certifications

1. Hospitality, leisure or recreation management certification, such as Certified Hospitality Administrator or Certified Park and Recreation Executive.

2. Project management certification, such as Project Management Professional or PRINCE2.

3. Health and safety qualification, such as the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health International General Certificate, or equivalent.

4. Facility management certification, such as Certified Facility Manager, or equivalent.

5. Training in financial management, investment appraisal or feasibility studies.

Core Competencies

1. Strategic thinking and business planning.

2. Commercial and financial acumen.

3. Multi-site operations management.

4. Performance management and data-driven decision-making.

5. Partnership, contract and vendor management.

6. Negotiation and stakeholder engagement at senior levels.

7. Safety, risk and compliance management.

8. People leadership and team building.

9. Customer experience and service excellence.

10. Entrepreneurial drive and ability to work in an early-stage, fast-growing environment.

Other Requirements

1. Willingness to travel regularly between project locations across the region.

2. For international candidates, willingness to relocate to the Kurdistan Region.

Screening Guidance for Candidate Evaluation

1. Must meet all Minimum Requirements to be shortlisted.

2. Highest priority: senior leadership of multi-site leisure, hospitality, tourism or recreation operations with direct responsibility for budgets and profit and loss.

3. Strong priority: track record of launching new businesses, opening new sites or leading expansion.

4. Strong priority: experience managing third-party operators and commercial partnerships.

5. Additional weight: Master’s degree, relevant certifications, international brand experience and Kurdish or Arabic language skills.