KHALIDAH AL KHAZAALEH

Richmond, VA 23225 | +1 (440) 321-5421 | eng.khalidah@yahoo.com | LinkedIn | Portfolio

BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND TRANSFORMATION LEADER

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior operations and business transformation leader with 25+ years of experience building, scaling, and professionalizing startup, growth, multi-entity, and family-owned organizations. Trusted advisor to founders and executives with experience spanning business operations, program delivery, governance, systems implementation, organizational design, change management, and M&A readiness. Certified Project Manager experienced in cross-functional and cross-border execution from initial setup through succession and handover.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Business Operations | Operational Excellence | Business Transformation | Program and Project Management | Organizational Design | Process Improvement | Governance and SOPs | Change Management | Cross-Functional Leadership | Multi-Entity Operations | Systems Implementation | M&A Readiness | Due Diligence Support | Succession and Handover

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

INTERIM OPERATIONS AND PROGRAM LEAD
Self-Employed | Remote, USA

Oct 2022 - Present

• Serve as a senior non-founder operator for startups and growing companies, leading defined operational and transformation programs from initiation through handover.

• Partner with founders to define scope, priorities, milestones, and execution plans aligned with vision and budget.

• Lead multi-month programs spanning operations, administration, systems implementation, and organizational design.

• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders and external vendors to support on-time, on-scope delivery.

• Recruit and develop internal teams and execute structured succession and handover plans to support post-engagement continuity.

DIRECTOR, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
OpenSooq.com Ltd (iMENA portfolio company) | Amman, Jordan

Aug 2015 - Oct 2022

• Scaled the organization from approximately 50 to 400 employees by building the operational backbone required for rapid growth.

• Partnered with founders to transition from founder-led execution to a structured corporate operating model.

• Established company-wide governance, systems, administrative controls, and standardized operating procedures.

• Led change management initiatives and coached leaders to strengthen accountability, performance discipline, and execution consistency.

• Supported funding readiness and long-term regional brand growth through institutionalized operations.

GROUP DIRECTOR, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
iMENA Group | Amman, Jordan

Jan 2013 - Dec 2018

• Supported OpenSooq alongside the broader iMENA portfolio from January 2013, then transitioned full-time to OpenSooq in August 2015 as it scaled while continuing iMENA group responsibilities through December 2018.

• Led group-level operations for a portfolio of 9+ digital businesses through a shared-services operating model.

• Built standardized operational frameworks while supporting varied business models and stages of maturity.

• Set up and stabilized multiple portfolio companies from zero structure to fully functioning, team-led organizations.

• Designed and delivered a global internship program with Ivy League universities, managing recruitment, logistics, placement, and execution.

• Recruited in-house teams and transitioned operational ownership to support continuity and independence.

OPERATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Abu Shakra Trading Company | Amman, Jordan

Mar 2011 - Jan 2013

• Led the corporatization of a second-generation family-owned retail business in preparation for third-generation leadership.

• Implemented policies, procedures, and operating standards across 30+ retail locations and the head office.

• Redefined organizational structure, roles, reporting lines, and communication flows.

• Introduced structured hiring, training, and performance frameworks.

GROUP OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Maktoob Group | Amman, Jordan

Mar 2007 - Oct 2009

• Supported rapid scale across a portfolio of pioneering online businesses as headcount grew from approximately 200 to 500+ employees.

• Planned and executed a full office relocation within a five-day window with zero operational downtime.

• Played a key role in acquisition readiness and due diligence for the Maktoob.com acquisition by Yahoo.

• Coordinated with finance and legal advisors on compliance and stock option agreements; served as liaison with government institutions.

COUNTRY OPERATIONS MANAGER TO BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
Bayt.com | Amman, Jordan – Dubai, UAE

Aug 2001 - Jun 2004

• Built and launched Jordan operations from scratch, including office setup, staffing, partnerships, and market entry.

• Drove market adoption through partnerships with universities, UN organizations, and major institutions.

• Recruited to headquarters to restructure and stabilize Abu Dhabi operations.

• Helped establish foundational corporate systems supporting long-term regional growth.

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS AND SALES COORDINATION LEAD
Arab Technical Group | Amman, Jordan

Feb 1997 - Sep 2001

• Delivered mechanical system designs, calculations, and technical documentation for building projects.

• Served as Management Representative for Quality during ISO certification, establishing audit-ready processes.

• Coordinated customer contracts, records, and execution across engineering, sales, and delivery teams.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering | University of Jordan, Amman | Sep 1991 - Jun 1996

Certified Project Manager, Certificate M0194/04 | International Association for Project and Program Management | Apr 2006

LANGUAGES

English (Highly proficient) | Arabic (Native)