Specialist, Business Continuity Planning

Role Overview

Specialist, Business Continuity Planning at Chalhoub Group. The role is based in the Middle East region.

Company Overview

Chalhoub Group is a luxury retail partner and creator operating for over seven decades across the Middle East. The Group curates a portfolio of over 10 owned brands and represents over 400 international names across luxury fashion, beauty, jewellery, watches, eyewear, and art de vivre categories. It delivers seamless omnichannel experiences across more than 950 stores, online platforms, and mobile apps. The Group operates across eight countries in the Middle East with a presence in LATAM, employing over 16,000 professionals. The Group is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, a signatory of the Women's Empowerment Principles, and has pledged to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Role Purpose

Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Group's Business Continuity Management and Crisis Management frameworks. Partner with business and functional leaders to assess risk, strengthen preparedness, coordinate response and recovery activities, and improve organizational resilience. Contribute to Group HSSE governance, compliance, reporting, and continuous improvement priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Business Continuity & Crisis Management

• Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Group BCM framework, policies, standards, and governance requirements.
• Facilitate Business Impact Analyses and operational risk assessments, translating outcomes into practical recovery strategies, priorities, and plans.
• Develop, maintain, and validate Business Continuity Plans, Crisis Management Plans, Crisis Management Team structures, escalation procedures, and crisis communication arrangements.
• Design and facilitate crisis simulations, tabletop exercises, and emergency response drills.
• Capture lessons learned from drills and exercises and ensure resulting actions are completed.
• Coordinate and advise on the activation of Crisis Management Teams and business recovery activities during significant incidents and operational disruptions.
• Monitor organisational BCM and Crisis Management maturity, readiness, and performance, and recommend targeted improvements.

HSSE, Risk & Compliance

• Drive adoption of the Group Health & Safety Management System and support emergency preparedness across offices, retail stores, warehouses, and logistics operations.
• Conduct HSSE audits, inspections, compliance assessments, and incident investigations using recognised root cause analysis methodologies.
• Develop and monitor corrective and preventive action plans arising from incidents, audits, inspections, and risk assessments, ensuring timely and sustainable closure.
• Monitor compliance with applicable legislation, corporate standards, ISO 45001 requirements, and other relevant international best practices.
• Integrate HSSE, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity considerations into operational and enterprise risk management while maintaining effective governance and document control.

Training, Awareness & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and deliver HSSE, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity training, awareness campaigns, and capability-building initiatives.
• Build the preparedness of Crisis Management Teams, plan owners, and key stakeholders through exercises, coaching, and clear guidance.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training, drills, and awareness initiatives.
• Maintain relevant competency records and recommend improvements.

Performance, Reporting & Departmental Contribution

• Develop and maintain HSSE, Business Continuity, Crisis Management, and Security dashboards, KPIs, and performance metrics.
• Analyse incident trends, audit findings, and performance data.
• Prepare executive reports and presentations for governance committees and senior leadership.
• Provide recommendations to strengthen operational resilience and organisational performance.
• Contribute to departmental planning, budgeting, annual objectives, and priority projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in Health & Safety, Business Continuity, Crisis Management, Security, or Enterprise Risk Management.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional resilience, preparedness, compliance, or risk initiatives in a complex organisation.
• Experience within retail, logistics, distribution, or a multinational environment is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management, facilitation, analytical, reporting, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant professional qualifications include NEBOSH International Diploma or International General Certificate, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer, and ISO 31000 Risk Management awareness.

Additional Information

• Health care, child education contribution, remote and flexible working policies, and exclusive employee discounts are offered.
• Chalhoub Group is committed to inclusion and diversity and welcomes all applicants without regard to gender, age, race, religion, national origin, or disability status.
• Assessments and interviews should be completed independently and without assistance from generative AI tools.