Associate Director - Events & Partnership

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

Job summary

A leading property management company is seeking an Associate Director, Events & Partnerships to conceptualize and deliver strategic events for Saadiyat Grove. The role demands over 5 years of experience in event programming and stakeholder management. Key responsibilities include defining the events strategy, managing strategic partnerships, and overseeing successful event delivery. The ideal candidate will have strong creative judgment, community engagement skills, and the ability to thrive in complex environments. This position is integral to fostering a vibrant community culture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in events, partnerships or experiential programming within relevant environments.
• Comfortable operating in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong curatorial and creative judgment.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the events and programming strategy.
• Concept and deliver flagship events.
• Identify and manage strategic partnerships.
• Oversee budgets, agencies, suppliers, and production partners.

Skills

Event planning

Stakeholder management

Creative judgment

Community engagement

Job description

Job Purpose

The Associate Director, Events & Partnerships is responsible for concepting, securing and delivering a cohesive programmed of events and strategic partnerships that build Saadiyat Grove’s cultural relevance, drive visitation and foster a strong sense of community.

The role spans public-facing destination events, tenant-led activations and residential/community programming, ensuring Saadiyat Grove feels alive, inclusive and culturally credible for visitors, residents and workers alike.

Key Responsibilities

Events Strategy & Programming

• Define and own the Saadiyat Grove events and programming strategy, aligned to destination positioning and phased development.
• Build an integrated annual calendar covering:
• Destination and public realm events
• Cultural and creative programming
• Retail and F&B-led activations
• Residential and community events (residents, families, office workers)
• Seasonal and national moments
• Ensure programming balances brand-building, community engagement and commercial impact.

Signature Events & Flagship Moments

• Concept and deliver flagship events that anchor Saadiyat Grove’s cultural and lifestyle narrative.
• Ensure residential moments are high-quality, well-curated and brand-aligned, not transactional or ad hoc.
• Scale successful formats year-on-year.

Strategic Partnerships

• Identify and manage strategic partnerships across culture, lifestyle, food, wellness, fashion and design.
• Develop long-term partnerships that support destination positioning and resident value, not just sponsorship.
• Oversee partner integration across public events, resident programming and tenant activity.

Residential & Community Programming

• Own the residential and community events programme, working closely with Asset Management, CX and Property Management teams.
• Design programming that builds belonging, loyalty and pride of place among residents.
• Ensure resident communications and invitations are coordinated with Marketing and CX teams.
• Support onboarding of new residents through events and shared experiences.

Tenant & Commercial Collaboration

• Work closely with retail and F&B tenants to co-create events that serve both destination and resident audiences.
• Support leasing and asset teams by using events to enhance livability and desirability.
• Ensure tenant-led and resident-focused events align with overall standards and narrative.

Delivery, Governance & Operations

• Oversee budgets, agencies, suppliers and production partners across all event types.
• Work closely with operations, security and facilities teams to ensure safe, compliant delivery.
• Establish clear playbooks for destination, tenant and residential events.

Measurement & Optimization

• Track KPIs across:
• Footfall and visitation
• Resident participation and satisfaction
• Partner value and retention
• Engagement and sentiment
• Use insight to evolve programming mix and formats.

Experience & Skills

• 5+ years’ experience in events, partnerships or experiential programming within destinations, mixed-use, hospitality, luxury or lifestyle environments.
• Comfortable operating in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong curatorial and creative judgement.
• Commercial and operationally credible.
• Confident stakeholder manager across marketing, operations and asset teams.
• Community-minded without losing brand ambition.
• Strategic, calm and detail-oriented.
• Values long-term destination equity.