AI Partnerships and Venture Scouting Specialist - First Abu Dhabi Bank - Abu Dhabi, UAE

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier banking institution in Abu Dhabi seeks an AI Partnerships and Venture Scouting Specialist to focus on global startup scouting within the AI and financial services landscape. This role involves identifying innovative technologies and strategic partners while conducting market intelligence and managing relationships with leading firms. Ideal candidates possess strong communication skills and a deep understanding of AI technologies, enabling them to influence the bank's AI-driven transformation efforts.

Benefits

Work with the largest bank in the UAE

Engage with global AI leaders and innovators

Collaborative environment for creativity and learning

Opportunity to shape future banking capabilities

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of AI technologies, digital innovation, and financial services trends.
• Experience in startup evaluation, venture scouting, partnership development, or innovation ecosystems.
• Ability to assess technical maturity and business relevance of emerging solutions.
• Skilled in competitive intelligence, market research, and strategic analysis.
• Comfortable managing senior-level relationships with hyperscalers, VCs, and academic partners.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present insights clearly.
• Self-driven, collaborative, and able to work in fast-evolving innovation environments.

Responsibilities

• Scout startups and scale-ups globally in the AI and financial services domains.
• Conduct market and competitive intelligence to evaluate innovation opportunities.
• Assess maturity, strategic fit, and relevance of startup and scale-up solutions.
• Support make-versus-buy decisions for AI and digital transformation use cases.
• Manage and grow strategic relationships with global hyperscalers.
• Collaborate with accelerators, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and ecosystem partners.
• Facilitate pilot engagements, proof-of-concept initiatives, and technical collaborations.
• Coordinate with internal teams for smooth execution of pilot testing.

Skills

AI ecosystem knowledge

Startup and scale-up scouting

Market and competitive intelligence

Strategic partnership management

Pilot facilitation and technical coordination

Innovation assessment

Venture landscape understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

AI Partnerships and Venture Scouting Specialist - First Abu Dhabi Bank - Abu Dhabi, UAE

Position Overview

This role focuses on global startup and scale-up scouting within the AI and financial services landscape, identifying innovative technologies, strategic partners, and emerging trends that can support First Abu Dhabi Bank's long-term digital and AI transformation. The position combines market intelligence, partnership evaluation, and hands‑on coordination of pilots with leading AI firms, hyperscalers, and venture ecosystems.

Job Details

Country: UAE
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Banking
Function: Strategy/Planning
Salary: 9000-12000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

• Scout startups and scale-ups globally in the AI and financial services domains to identify high‑potential technologies and emerging market trends.
• Conduct market and competitive intelligence to evaluate innovation opportunities.
• Assess maturity, strategic fit, and relevance of startup and scale‑up solutions.
• Support make‑versus‑buy decisions for AI and digital transformation use cases.
• Manage and grow strategic relationships with global hyperscalers including Microsoft, G42, and others.
• Collaborate with accelerators, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and ecosystem partners.
• Facilitate pilot engagements, proof‑of‑concept initiatives, and technical collaborations.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure smooth execution of pilot testing and partner onboarding.

Ideal Profile

• Strong understanding of AI technologies, digital innovation, and financial services trends.
• Experience in startup evaluation, venture scouting, partnership development, or innovation ecosystems.
• Ability to assess technical maturity and business relevance of emerging solutions.
• Skilled in competitive intelligence, market research, and strategic analysis.
• Comfortable managing senior‑level relationships with hyperscalers, VCs, and academic partners.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present insights clearly.
• Self‑driven, collaborative, and able to work in fast‑evolving innovation environments.

Skills Set

• AI ecosystem knowledge
• Startup and scale‑up scouting
• Market and competitive intelligence
• Strategic partnership management
• Pilot facilitation and technical coordination
• Innovation assessment
• Venture landscape understanding
• Cross‑functional collaboration

Why Join Us

• Work with the largest bank in the UAE during an advanced phase of AI‑led transformation.
• Engage directly with global AI leaders, hyperscalers, venture ecosystems, and emerging tech innovators.
• Opportunity to influence strategic decisions and shape future banking capabilities.
• Collaborative environment that supports creativity, experimentation, and rapid learning.
• Exposure to high‑impact innovation and digital strategy initiatives.

About the Company

First Abu Dhabi Bank is one of the world’s leading and safest financial institutions, committed to innovation, growth, and long‑term value creation. With a strong focus on technology and transformation, the bank empowers employees to explore new ideas, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to pioneering AI‑driven solutions for the region and beyond.