Chief Executive Officer - Petroleum

About the role

The Petroleum CEO defines and executes the Group's petroleum strategy and drives growth, operational excellence, financial performance and long-term shareholder value across the petroleum value chain, including upstream, midstream, downstream, supply, trading, storage, distribution, retail and infrastructure. The role oversees portfolio development, capital allocation, major projects, joint ventures, HSE, governance, regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement. It is based at the Damascus, Syria head office five days a week.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the petroleum business strategy, portfolio growth, market positioning and expansion plans aligned with Group objectives.
• Own P&L, revenue, EBITDA, cash flow, profitability, capital allocation, budgeting, cost management and value creation.
• Ensure safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective operations, asset integrity, maintenance, supply continuity and performance optimization.
• Lead supply, trading, pricing, contracts, customer relationships, market development and margin optimization.
• Oversee major projects, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, investment appraisal and project delivery.
• Maintain relationships with shareholders, governments, regulators, national oil companies, investors, lenders, partners and customers.
• Ensure high standards of safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, internal controls, enterprise risk management and crisis preparedness.
• Build leadership teams, strengthen succession planning, develop organizational capabilities and promote accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive digital transformation, operational innovation, emissions reduction, energy efficiency and business resilience.

Required profile

• Minimum 20 years of progressive experience in petroleum, oil and gas or integrated energy, including at least 10 years in senior executive leadership.
• Proven leadership across multiple segments of the petroleum value chain and accountability for significant P&L, capital investment, financial performance and business transformation.
• Experience in major projects, commercial negotiations, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
• Strong experience engaging governments, regulators, investors and international stakeholders; GCC or emerging-market experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum, Chemical, Mechanical or Energy Engineering, Geosciences, Economics, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline; MBA, relevant master's degree or recognized executive leadership qualification strongly preferred.

Required skills

• In-depth knowledge of petroleum markets, value chains, asset economics, supply chains, trading and infrastructure.
• Strategic, commercial, financial, investment appraisal and portfolio management capabilities.
• HSE, asset integrity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, enterprise risk and crisis management expertise.
• Executive leadership, stakeholder management, board-level communication and organizational development.