Ali Naji

High-impact Chief Operating Officer with over a decade of progressive, multi-sector leadership experience spanning Fintech, Mobility, Hospitality, and Large-Scale Catering (F&B). Expert in P&L management, strategic forecasting, organizational design, and operational optimization. Documented success driving hyper-growth, including a 250% increase in key performance metrics for a major transportation network.

A trilingual executive who seamlessly aligns complex operations with overarching commercial and financial goals.

CEO at Sparrow Consults (2026-02 – Present)

Founded and lead a premium management consultancy specializing in five core strategic pillars: Strategy & Business Growth, Operational Excellence, Commercial Strategy, Human Resources, and Administration. Partner with corporate clients to diagnose organizational friction, optimize workflows, and architect scalable frameworks for long-term profitability.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Elite Group (Parent company of OBR Taxi and Thawany Cash) (2025-01 – Present)

Provide executive governance and strategic oversight for two distinct, high-growth entities: OBR Taxi (Mobility) and Thawany Cash (FinTech). Hold full group-level P&L accountability, designing and executing operational strategies to maximize market share and sustainable profitability. Drive product innovation and technical integration between the mobility and payment platforms to capture cross-platform synergies and scale user acquisition.

Operations Director at OBR Taxi (2023-09 – 2024-12)

Chaired all strategic and operational facets of the business, focusing heavily on brand equity enhancement, trip volume maximization, and bottom-line health. Overhauled corporate budgeting and financial forecasting models, successfully transforming the company's P&L trajectory.

• Engineered and executed expansion initiatives that resulted in a 250% growth in core organizational metrics.
• Standardized regional daily operations, optimized staff performance, and instituted rigorous service-level benchmarks.

Operations Manager at OBR Taxi (2023-01 – 2023-08)

Directed day-to-day operations for the OBR Taxi ecosystem across Iraq, maximizing localized driver-and-rider dispatch efficiencies. Deployed data-driven local market adaptation strategies that significantly boosted user retention and customer satisfaction metrics.

Operations Director at Confidential Catering Company (F&B Industry / Defense & Energy Logistics) (2021-01 – 2023-01)

Directed high-volume catering and supply chain operations, successfully managing the daily production and secure delivery of over 25,000 meals to remote oil fields and international military installations. Maintained absolute P&L and contract accountability; implemented strict cost-control and forecasting frameworks to secure target margins on high-value contracts. Enforced stringent international QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment) and food safety standards across complex multi-site logistics networks.

• Cost Optimization: Slashing operational expenses from 51% down to 35% of revenue through strict resource management and analytical tracking.
• Profitability Turnaround: Rocketed net profitability from 9% to 26% within a single year by restructuring human capital, liquidating operational redundancies, and establishing rigorous new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Workforce & Training Alignment: Designed and executed comprehensive staff training frameworks while strategically reducing headcount to align labor capacity with optimized production demands.

Operations Director at Faruk Group (2018-11 – 2020-06)

Orchestrated the strategic alignment, operational synergy, and business health of diverse portfolio units within a prominent holding group. Spearheaded enterprise-level business planning, financial analysis, and operational feasibility assessments for new ventures.

Operations Director at Millennium Group (2016-01 – 2018-12)

Governed the operational lifecycle and commercial performance of multiple hotel properties under the Millennium portfolio banner. Turned around the group's financial performance from a break-even baseline to consistent profitability by 2017 through targeted operational restructuring and revenue-management strategies. Managed group-wide capital allocations, operational budgets, and consolidated P&L statements.

Operations Manager (Single Hotel) at Millennium Group (2014-12 – 2015-12)

Managed the end-to-end operational lifecycle of a primary hotel asset, optimizing departmental workflows, budgeting, and cost control. Elevated the property's service quality and internal efficiencies to maximize guest satisfaction scores and operational margins.

Outlet Manager at Millennium Group (2012-01 – 2014-12)

Maintained full budgetary control over premium Food & Beverage outlets, leading a large frontline service team. Designed and executed localized marketing and promotional strategies that drove substantial year-over-year sales volume and outlet profitability.

Outlet Supervisor at Millennium Group (2010-06 – 2012-12)

Supervised day-to-day F&B workflows, coordinated master scheduling, resolved service escalations, and delivered technical hospitality training.

Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Business – American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) (2015-01 – 2016-01)

Bachelor of International Studies in Minor in Business Administration – American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) (2009-01 – 2012-01)