Innovation Project Manager

About the Company: We are recruiting for a leading organization driving business transformation, economic growth, and corporate innovation. This entity plays a key role in strategic planning, innovation, and operational excellence, ensuring that businesses remain competitive and aligned with global best practices. With a strong focus on corporate governance, digital transformation, and strategic excellence, the organization is committed to fostering a culture of continuous innovation and change management.

About the Role: Our client is seeking an Innovation & Strategy Project Manager to lead corporate transformation initiatives, strategic planning frameworks, and business excellence programs. The role involves driving governance and compliance, ensuring that innovation, digital transformation, and operational strategies align with the organization’s long-term objectives. This includes performance tracking, strategic KPIs, and benchmarking against global best practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in corporate strategy, change management, and business transformation, with expertise in government excellence programs, innovation management, and cross-functional leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning & Business Transformation: Develop and implement corporate strategic frameworks aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term vision.
2. Oversee multi-year and annual planning processes, ensuring a data-driven approach to decision-making.
3. Monitor and evaluate strategic initiatives, providing regular updates and insights to leadership teams.
4. Lead the integration of innovation ecosystems into core business functions to drive long-term growth.

1. Innovation & Digital Transformation: Identify and implement emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and business model innovations.
2. Manage innovation projects, pilots, and strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
3. Support the transition from traditional to innovative business models, ensuring adaptability and resilience.
4. Oversee the implementation of new digital tools, automation systems, and decision-making frameworks.

1. Performance Management & Business Excellence: Define, track, and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for strategic and innovation initiatives.
2. Conduct validation audits for performance progress, ensuring compliance with corporate objectives.
3. Develop corrective action plans for any underperforming initiatives.
4. Drive continuous improvement processes, leveraging benchmarking and market intelligence insights.
5. Support the execution of business excellence frameworks such as EFQM, DGEP, or other government excellence models.

1. Governance, Compliance & Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure all strategic initiatives adhere to governance policies, compliance frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
2. Develop and manage Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and strategic partnerships, ensuring they deliver measurable impact.
3. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to track performance outcomes and optimize collaboration.
4. Establish frameworks for documentation, reporting, and compliance monitoring.

1. Change Management & Organizational Development: Develop and execute corporate change management strategies to enhance adaptability and business resilience.
2. Promote organizational agility, ensuring smooth adoption of new methodologies, innovation practices, and process improvements.
3. Support leadership in embedding a culture of continuous innovation and operational excellence.
4. Oversee internal awareness programs and workshops related to corporate innovation and transformation.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

1. Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Strategy, or a related field.
2. Certifications: Certification in Balanced Scorecard, GIMI Innovation, EFQM, or other excellence frameworks is preferable.
3. Experience: 6-8 years of progressive experience, including at least 4 years in a managerial role.
4. Proven experience in corporate strategy, business excellence, and innovation-driven projects.
5. Hands-on expertise in governance frameworks, corporate transformation, and business model innovation.
6. Technical & Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of performance measurement, KPI tracking, and organizational change management.
7. Familiarity with government excellence models such as DGEP, EFQM, DQA, or similar frameworks used in the UAE.
8. Knowledge of digital transformation, AI-driven innovation, and automation strategies is an advantage.
9. Languages: Fluency in both English and Arabic (spoken and written) is mandatory.