Operations Manager, Middle East

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing team of safety officers for autonomous driving operations and testing in the UAE.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and performance management to safety teams, fostering a culture of safety and collaboration.
• Develop and implement local training programs covering autonomous technology, safety, customer service, local regulations, and testing procedures.
• Establish vehicle operation centers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and ensure operational readiness (including facility set-up, equipment procurement, infrastructure).
• Define and implement SOPs for vehicle operation centers to maintain high-quality service and testing facilitation.
• Oversee daily management of the autonomous vehicle fleet, including dispatch, maintenance, and operational monitoring.
• Optimize vehicle utilization, reduce downtime, and ensure reliability and safety throughout testing and service operations.
• Collaborate with authorities, regulatory bodies, and partners for compliance and operational excellence.
• Analyze operational data, identify improvements, and enhance operational competitiveness.
• Coordinate autonomous driving testing tasks, working with R&D and engineering teams to plan, monitor, and report on testing activities.
• Resolve operational or testing issues quickly and implement corrective actions.
• Provide regular reporting on test progress and operations performance to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, transportation, or related field
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in operations (automotive, transportation, or tech sector)
• At least 1 year in a leadership role
• Experience managing teams and projects in dynamic, fast-paced environments
• Experience setting up/managing vehicle operation centers
• Familiarity with autonomous driving technology, safety protocols, and regulations
• Experience coordinating and executing automotive/autonomous testing tasks
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills; strategic thinking
• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken)
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in the Middle East market
• Strong understanding of industry trends
• Other language skills

Benefits

Not explicitly listed.

About the Company

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), established in 2017, is a leading global company developing autonomous driving technologies from Level 2 to Level 4. It is the only tech company globally with driverless permits in China, the UAE, Singapore, and the US, and runs operations in over 30 cities across 9 countries. WeRide has operated a self-driving fleet for over 1,900 days, driving commercial, research, and testing excellence in autonomous mobility.