Chief Executive Officer

📍 Location: Ajman, UAE (with UAE, GCC & international travel) 💼 Employment Type: Full-time 🏢 Seniority Level: Executive / C-Suite About 1XL TourismWe are building a dynamic, high-growth travel and tourism engine based in the UAE. 1XL Tourism is on a mission to redefine outbound leisure, corporate/MICE, and inbound UAE travel, with an aggressive, clear roadmap to scale to AED 100M+ in revenue.

The Opportunity

Are you an entrepreneurial, hands-on travel executive who thrives on building from the ground up?

We are looking for a high-caliber Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to report directly to the Owner/Proprietor and take full ownership of 1XL Tourism. You will design the strategy, build the founding team, stand up operations, and drive aggressive B2B and B2C commercial growth.

This is not a maintenance role, it is a "builder" opportunity for a proven P&L leader ready to leave a major mark on the regional tourism landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Scaling: Own and execute the 90-day, Year-1, and Year-2 growth plans toward our AED 100M target across outbound, corporate/MICE, and inbound travel.
• Commercial Engine: Build B2B networks (agents, DMCs, corporates, OTAs, airlines, hotels) and direct-to-consumer (B2C) sales channels.
• Own pipeline forecasting and aggressive revenue growth.
• Product & Operations: Design and price package portfolios, implement booking/reservation tech stacks, secure supplier contracts, and ensure top-tier service delivery.
• Team Building: Recruit, lead, and mentor the founding cross-functional team (Sales, Operations, Marketing, Finance) from scratch.
• Establish SOPs and a high-performance culture.
• P&L & Compliance: Hold full P&L and cash flow accountability.
• Oversee trade licensing (Ajman DED/DTD), bank relationships, UBO compliance, and governance.
• Brand & Marketing: Drive performance marketing (managing CAC), build brand positioning, and oversee online reputation management.

Who we are looking for Experience

8–12+ years in travel, tourism, or hospitality, with 3–5+ years in a P&L-owning leadership role (CEO, GM, Country Manager, or Commercial Director) at a DMC, OTA, tour operator, or travel agency. Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success scaling revenue within the UAE/GCC travel sector, ideally from a startup or low base.

Strong Network: Existing, high-value relationships with airlines, hotels, DMCs, and key UAE/GCC travel trade players. The "Builder" Mindset: Highly entrepreneurial, adaptable, and eager to build systems, teams, and processes from scratch. Languages: Fluent English is required. Proficiency in Arabic, Hindi, or other key source-market languages is a strong plus.

Eligibility

• Eligible for UAE residency and legal appointment as Manager/Signatory on the trade license.
• Why Join us?
• Full Ownership: Complete strategic and operational autonomy to build a business to AED 100M. Direct Impact: Work directly with the owner to shape the vision, culture, and portfolio of 1XL Tourism.
• High Visibility: Lead a high-growth venture in one of the world's most vibrant travel hubs.