Director Strategic Accounts, UAE

Wood Mackenzie; Dubai; On-site; AED 918,105 - 1,652,589; Full time

Job summary

Wood Mackenzie seeks an experienced Director to lead its Strategic Accounts business across UAE and Oman. You will drive client and commercial leadership, focusing on government and NOC relationships, while growing consulting footprints with public sector clients.

The role requires 12 years in energy consulting, strong regional know-how, and proven deal closure capabilities in the Middle East. Fluency in English is essential; Arabic is a plus.

Qualifications

• 12 years in consulting strategy or leadership within energy/natural resources.
• Proven track record selling consulting projects in the Middle East.
• Fluency in English; Arabic is optional.

Responsibilities

• Lead client and commercial leadership for strategic government and NOC relationships across UAE and Oman, including ADNOC.
• Build account strategies to grow revenues and influence with public sector clients.
• Develop regional talent and mentor UAE-based consulting team to sustain in-country capability.
• Oversee origination, structuring, and negotiation of major consulting engagements.
• Ensure delivery meets Wood Mackenzie’s standards and delivers measurable impact.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategic selling

Client relationships

Job description

Role Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and commercially drivenDirector to lead our Strategic Accounts business across UAE & Oman. This individual will be responsible for growing Wood Mackenzie’s consulting footprint with government national oil companies (NOCs), ministries and local customers.

The role carries the commercial target for consulting in UAE/Oman for Strategic Accounts and also involves leading the UAE-based consulting team, mentoring talent and driving high-impact client engagement. The successful candidate will be an exceptional relationship builder, a seasoned consulting practitioner and a capable leader who can operate at the highest levels across public and private sectors.

Main Responsibilities

Client and Commercial Leadership

• Serve as the lead client lead for strategic government and NOC relationships across the UAE and Oman, be the Wood Mackenzie lead for ADNOC.
• Build and execute account strategies to grow revenues and influence with key public sector clients.
• Cultivate long‑term buyer relationships with national institutions such as ADNOC, QIGC and other local players and banks.
• Lead the origination, structuring and commercial negotiation of major consulting engagements.
• Ensure client delivery meets Wood Mackenzie’s high standards and delivers measurable impact.

Team Leadership

• Lead the UAE consulting team including Principals and early‑career consultants.
• Act as a mentor and coach to develop regional talent and build a sustainable consulting capability in‑country.
• Create a high‑performing culture grounded in collaboration, resilience and regional relevance.
• Ensure effective resourcing and delivery of engagements across multiple sectors (oil & gas, power, mining, renewables).

Strategic Contribution

• Actively contribute to the global Strategic Accounts and Consulting leadership teams.
• Shape our regional consulting offerings to align with Latin American client needs and policy agendas.
• Represent Wood Mackenzie in key industry forums and government engagements.
• Embed thought leadership and elevate the firm’s voice in energy transition dialogues across the region.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Experience

12 years in consulting strategy or leadership roles within the energy or natural resources sectors; must include prior experience selling consulting projects in the Middle East.

Regional Expertise

Deep familiarity with UAE and broader Middle East. Must demonstrate fluency in navigating government procurement, public sector business culture and key stakeholders in energy and mining.

Sector Knowledge

Cross‑sectoral perspective across hydrocarbons, power & renewables and mining; while subject matter expertise is valued, strong commercial credibility and solution‑selling ability is paramount.

Commercial Acumen

Proven track record of owning sales targets and closing deals in the range of $500K; experience working with complex public sector clients is critical.

Languages

Fluency in English is essential and Arabic is optional.

Leadership

Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, inspire junior talent and represent the company with credibility in high‑stakes client interactions.

Network

A well‑developed network across public‑sector decision‑makers, regulators and national companies; regarded as a trusted advisor in the region.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. This means we are committed to recruiting the best people regardless of their race, colour, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability or protected veteran status. You can find out more about your rights under the law at…