Ghassan Saktawi

About

Enterprise transformation delivered through alignment of people, strategy, and governance across complex government entities, joint ventures, and large-scale strategic programs CHRO-level Human Resources Executive with 20+ years of leadership across highly complex multinational and multi-cultural environments, overseeing multi-layered workforces and integrating global and national talent models Focused on partnering with executive leadership and boards to shape organizational capability, enable sustainable transformation, and support strategic growth across complex and high-impact environments 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 → 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Directed transformation across a 7,500+ workforce, delivering ~27% workforce optimization and improving cost structure and organizational agility → 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Reduced turnover from ~25% to ~13–14% over a three-year period, enhancing retention and workforce stability → 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Implemented enterprise-wide Balanced Scorecard enabling executive and board-level decision-making → 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 & 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 (𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗣 𝗗𝗲𝘃 – 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲): Led HR strategy across partnerships including RATP Dev (France), aligning global standards with local workforce strategy → 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗖𝗢 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆): Founded SAPTCO Academy, localizing training and institutionalizing knowledge transfer from international partners to Saudi Arabia, building sustainable national capability → 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Increased local workforce (~500 → 1,300+) and secured SAR 21M government funding

Experience

• Global HR Senior Subject Matter Expert & Panel Member at Infollion Research Services Limited
  2021 - Present · 5 yrs 6 mos

  • Provide strategic HR advisory to executives and boards on transformation,governance, and workforce strategy • Support design and implementation of HR operating models aligned with business priorities

• Executive Director (CHRO-Level) at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority
  2022 - 2023 · 1 yr

  • Built HR function from the ground up, including operating model, governance, and workforce strategy • Defined organizational structure and workforce capabilities aligned with strategic priorities • Led hiring of 170+ employees and advised executive leadership

• General Manager, Human Resources (CHRO-Level) at Saudi Public Transport Company - SAPTCO
  2012 - 2021 · 9 yrs

  • Established SAPTCO Academy, localizing large-scale workforce development and institutionalizing knowledge transfer from global partners, building sustainable national capability aligned with strategic transport programs • Directed the end-to-end HR workstream for the Riyadh Public Transport Project (SAR ~8B JV), from bid-stage design through full HR function establishment and governance oversight, in partnership with RATP Dev (France), a globally recognized transport operator • Led executive hiring across critical leadership roles, acting as a trusted advisor to the CEO on leadership selection, organizational capability, and succession planning

• HR DIRECTOR at Alsalam Aerospace Industries
  2009 - 2012 · 3 yrs

  • Led culture transformation initiatives improving engagement and performance • Achieved Top 7 Best Work Environment ranking within one year

• Head of Recruitment & Organization | KSA & UK at BAE SYSTEMS (British Aerospace)
  2007 - 2008 · 1 yr

  • Led recruitment and organizational functions across Saudi Arabia and UK • Recruitment Cost Optimization: Reduced recruitment cost by ~75% while maintaining recruitment quality and delivery