Chief Sports Complex Officer (CSCO)

About the role

Black Pearl has been given an exclusive mandate to recruit a Chief Sports Complex Officer for a landmark sports and leisure destination in the GCC region. This is a senior executive appointment responsible for the strategic, operational and commercial leadership of a large-scale, multi-venue complex offering sporting activities, hospitality, academies, community programmes and major events. The successful candidate will lead the complex's long-term development, strengthen its commercial performance and maintain world-class operational standards.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategy positioning the complex as a leading regional sports, leisure and events destination, and lead transformation initiatives that strengthen its brand and sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight across venues, sports facilities, academies, hospitality, guest services and event functions, ensuring safety, security, compliance and service quality.
• Take ownership of the complex's financial and commercial performance, delivering revenue, profitability, utilisation and customer-experience targets, and set up performance controls and reporting.
• Build relationships with government authorities, sports federations, sponsors, event organisers and community stakeholders, and negotiate long-term partnerships.
• Lead a large, multidisciplinary workforce, develop senior leaders and build a high-performance culture.

Required profile

• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience, including a senior executive or C-suite role.
• Proven leadership of a large sports resort, multi-sport complex, leisure destination or major venue group.
• Strong exposure to specialised sporting operations such as equestrian sports, motorsport, shooting, water sports or sports academies.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, sports management, hospitality or leisure management; a master's degree or executive qualification is advantageous.
• Excellent English; additional languages are an advantage.

Required skills

• Budgeting, revenue optimisation, pricing and asset utilisation.
• Experience managing high-profile sporting, corporate, community or entertainment events.
• Credibility with senior government, federation, sponsor, partner and board-level stakeholders.