Abu Dhabi Innovation & Operations Lead - Freelance

ADGM Academy; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 165,000 - 248,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible freelance engagement

In-person meetings in Abu Dhabi

Job summary

ADGM Academy in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced Innovation & Operations Lead as a freelance contractor to drive day-to-day development and operation of a flagship centre focused on real assets, sustainable tech, and AI.

You will lead innovation programmes, hackathons, research collaborations, and startup engagement while building partnerships with universities, startups, and industry partners in the UAE ecosystem.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of venture capital, accelerators, innovation hubs, or startup programmes experience.
• Proven ability to manage innovation programmes and academic-industry partnerships.
• Experience collaborating with universities and entrepreneurial communities.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute hackathons, innovation challenges, demo days, and ecosystem events.
• Develop partnerships with universities, faculty members, and students.
• Support research initiatives and startup programmes.
• Track programme KPIs and ensure successful delivery of outcomes.
• Oversee day-to-day operational activities and governance.
• Manage budgets, vendors, contracts, and reporting requirements.
• Provide regular programme and performance updates to stakeholders.
• Mentor early-stage ventures on business models, pitching, and investor readiness.
• Monitor AI, sustainability, and real assets trends to inform programme design.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Relationship-building

Startup ecosystem experience

Innovation programmes

Job description

ADGM Academy in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced Innovation & Operations Lead as a freelance contractor to drive day-to-day development and operation of a flagship centre focused on real assets, sustainable tech, and AI.

You will lead innovation programmes, hackathons, research collaborations, and startup engagement while building partnerships with universities, startups, and industry partners in the UAE ecosystem.