Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager (National Talent Preferred)

DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at Dubai Future Foundation as a Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager. This role is crucial for driving the success of the Sandbox Dubai initiative by cultivating high-impact partnerships across sectors. You will engage with diverse stakeholders, foster innovation, and contribute to Dubai's vision as a global innovation hub.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in partnership development or community engagement.
• Proven track record in managing strategic partnerships within innovation ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with startups and corporations.
• Develop tailored partnership strategies aligned with Sandbox Dubai's objectives.
• Lead cross-functional project teams in partnership initiatives.

Skills

Partnership Development

Business Development

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business

Job description

Life at Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai's leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the DFF runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Forum, etc. DFF's efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai's ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight, and disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website: www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture

Sandbox Dubai is an initiative under the Dubai Future Foundation, designed to enable innovation in key sectors through regulatory experimentation. By creating a supportive environment where innovators can test, scale, and deploy groundbreaking solutions, Sandbox Dubai aims to shape the future of industries and contribute to Dubai's position as a global innovation hub.

Mandated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed in March 2024, Sandbox Dubai offers a structured approach to regulatory modernization, enabling innovators and companies to test their products, services, and business models under adaptive regulatory supervision. This initiative is a key element in the D33 agenda, aiming to double the size of Dubai's economy over the next 10 years and cement its leadership among the top three economies of the future. The initiative will focus on 5 thematic areas initially: Gig Economy, Real Estate Technology, Health Tech, Green Technology, and Artificial Intelligence.

We would like to invite talented and experienced individuals to join our dynamic team as we embark on this journey.

As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the modern regulatory landscape, we are seeking talented individuals who are eager to contribute their expertise and creativity to the Sandbox Dubai initiatives. We aim to explore novel solutions, foster collaboration across sectors, and pave the way for transformative changes that benefit both consumers and industries of Dubai.

The role of the Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager is vital to driving the success of the Sandbox Dubai initiative by building ecosystem relationships including the private sector, local and international government stakeholders, as well as industry experts, trade associations, think tanks and international organizations. This role serves as a crucial link between Sandbox Dubai and the innovation ecosystem, ensuring effective collaboration and engagement.

Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager

The Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager will play a pivotal role in driving Sandbox Dubai's mission by cultivating and managing high-impact partnerships with the private sector including startups, scaleups, large enterprises, and third-party organizations while continuing to engage with key government entities and regulators.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong business development mindset, capable of navigating diverse industries and aligning external partnerships with Sandbox Dubai's goals.

Your Responsibilities:

Partnership Development & Management:

-Identify, build, and nurture strategic partnerships with startups, scaleups, multinational corporations, and industry leaders across key sectors to support regulatory experimentation and innovation initiatives.

-Foster collaborations with third-party organizations such as accelerators, venture capital firms, and innovation hubs to amplify Sandbox Dubai's reach and impact.

-Maintain and grow relationships with key government entities, regulators, and other ecosystem stakeholders to ensure alignment on policy and regulatory frameworks.

Strategic Alignment:

-Develop tailored partnership strategies that align with Sandbox Dubai's objectives, ensuring mutual value creation for both Sandbox Dubai and its partners.

-Collaborate with internal teams to align partnership efforts with sector-specific goals, program timelines, and innovation milestones.

Business Development:

-Proactively seek new partnership opportunities, leveraging market insights, industry trends, and competitor analysis.

-Develop compelling value propositions, business cases, and negotiation strategies to secure strategic agreements and long-term collaborations.

Project Leadership & Execution:

-Lead cross-functional project teams in the design and execution of partnership initiatives, ensuring seamless integration of partner capabilities into Sandbox Dubai's regulatory sandbox framework.

-Oversee the end-to-end partnership lifecycle, from initial engagement to ongoing management and performance evaluation.

Stakeholder Management:

-Act as a key liaison between partners and internal teams, ensuring transparency, alignment, and effective communication.

-Champion the needs of partners within Sandbox Dubai to ensure collaborative initiatives are well-supported and mutually beneficial.

Impact Measurement:

-Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of partnerships, ensuring continuous optimization and value delivery.

-Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership, highlighting partnership outcomes and strategic recommendations.

Why this role is important

In today's rapidly changing landscape this role is pivotal for Sandbox Dubai's success, acting as a liaison with the innovation ecosystem locally, regionally and globally.

By establishing and nurturing relationships, the Strategic Partnerships Manager gains support, accesses resources, and navigates regulatory complexities. Facilitating engagement through meetings and workshops, they ensure all relevant parties have a voice in Sandbox activities.

Crucially, the Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager ensures Sandbox activities align with local regulations, minimizing legal risks and maintaining integrity. By fostering collaboration, they create an environment conducive to innovation, identifying and addressing regulatory barriers within the Sandbox framework.

Moreover, the Strategic Partnerships Manager advocates for regulatory innovation and reform, highlighting the Sandbox's benefits and promoting for supportive policies. In doing so, they contribute significantly to driving success and impact within the local regulatory landscape and innovation ecosystem.

What this Role at the Dubai Future Foundation offers

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of innovation in Dubai by connecting pioneering companies with regulatory innovation opportunities fostering breakthroughs that redefine industries and empower tomorrow's economy.

You will get to work with an A team of colleagues who are passionate about the future and establishing Dubai as one of the leading cities of the world. You will have the chance to work on exciting and new projects, in a highly diverse and fast paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas, and innovation.

Who we are looking for

You hold a bachelor's or master's degree in business, Marketing, Communication, or related field.

You have a minimum of 8 years of experience in partnership development or community engagement at a regional level.

You exhibit a proven track record in building and managing strategic partnerships, preferably within innovation ecosystems, technology sectors, or high-growth environments.

You possess a thorough understanding of regulatory frameworks, innovation models, and the dynamics of public-private collaborations.

You display the ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level, with a hands-on approach to driving results.

Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including startups, corporates, third-party organizations, and government entities.

Passion for innovation, future technologies, and contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming a global leader in innovation.

You must be fluent in written & spoken Arabic and English.

You have exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and a proven ability to engage with diverse local stakeholders