Office Director - Government Policy

Confidential Careers; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers in Dubai seeks an Office Director to oversee and coordinate all facets of the Office’s activities, including strategic partnerships, insights generation, convenings, and cross-sector collaboration. This leadership role requires guiding a team and coordinating with government and business leaders locally and internationally.

The Office Director will drive engagements, schedule and lead high-level meetings, and ensure timely delivery of strategic initiatives while fostering

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in senior management roles involving partnerships, strategic insights, and event convenings.
• Proven track record building and sustaining high-level partnerships across government and business sectors.
• Strong networking, communication, and relationship-building with a diplomatic approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead Strategic Partnerships Leadership: develop and implement strategies to build relationships with government and business stakeholders locally and globally.
• Oversee partnerships with multilateral organizations, international forums, and influential entities; act as primary partner contact.
• Manage Insights Generation: design and execute research projects; synthesize findings into actionable insights.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Event convenings

Stakeholder management

Diplomatic communication

Project management

English fluency

Arabic language desirable

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Office Director to oversee and coordinate all aspects of the Office’s activities. This leadership role will focus on managing strategic partnerships, insights, and convenings while effectively managing a team. The Office Director will play a key role in strengthening communication and coordination among government and business leaders locally and internationally.

The Office Director will ensure that strategic objectives are met by driving engagements, developing relationships, leading high-level meetings, and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations. This individual should possess deep expertise in managing partnerships, delivering insights, organizing convenings, and guiding team members to advance key initiatives.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnerships Leadership:

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders in government and business sectors locally and in priority global regions.
• Oversee the identification, engagement, and management of partnerships with multilateral organizations, international forums, and influential family and corporate entities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for partners, facilitating productive interactions and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with Embassies, diplomats, and government ministries to align partnership initiatives with Office goals and diplomatic missions.
• Drive the creation and management of a partnership database and maintain records of strategic engagements.

2. Insights Generation and Dissemination:

• Lead the design and execution of research projects, including studies, surveys, and workshops that inform strategy.
• Facilitate and manage regular insights sessions for senior businesses and governmental stakeholders on emerging geo-economic and strategic issues.
• Oversee the development of high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations that synthesize research findings into actionable insights.
• Guide content development in collaboration with team members to ensure alignment with Office objectives.
• Coordinate closely with the Communications Manager to ensure effective dissemination of insights through appropriate channels.

3. Convenings Management:

• Oversee the planning and execution of high-level convenings, such as roundtables, conferences, and multi-stakeholder meetings locally and key international locations.
• Ensure seamless coordination of event logistics, including venue selection, participant engagement, and on-site management.
• Work collaboratively with team members to develop event agendas, speaker briefings, and session formats that align with strategic themes.
• Maintain a comprehensive annual convening strategy and identify opportunities to enhance or expand convening activities.
• Direct the collection and analysis of event feedback and post-event reporting to guide continuous improvements.

4. Communication and Coordination with the Communications Manager:

• Establish and maintain open channels of communication with the Communications Manager to align messaging strategies with key objectives.
• Coordinate on the development of high-quality content for various platforms, ensuring consistency and alignment with strategic themes.
• Work collaboratively on media relations, press releases, and social media campaigns to enhance visibility.
• Guide the Communications Manager in crafting strategic communication plans for key events and projects.

5. Coordination with the Office Manager:

• Regularly engage with the Office Manager to oversee day-to-day administrative activities and ensure smooth operations.
• Collaborate on project timelines, office logistics, and team schedules to ensure alignment with priorities.
• Review and approve budget tracking, expense reports, and procurement activities managed by the Office Manager.
• Ensure that HR processes, onboarding, and team member support initiatives are aligned with the Office's overall strategy.

6. Reporting and Accountability Activities:

• Lead the development of comprehensive reports and updates, summarizing the progress of strategic projects and partnerships.
• Implement standardized reporting practices for all functions within the Office to maintain accountability and transparency.
• Oversee the preparation of policy briefings and reports for key stakeholders.
• Ensure timely submission of reports to senior leadership, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning.

7. Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Mentor and provide performance oversight for the Office Staff team members.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages proactive problem-solving and innovation.
• Oversee team collaboration and ensure team members have the resources and guidance needed to achieve key objectives.

Essential Professional Experience / Skills

This role requires a dynamic, strategic thinker with exceptional interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of the interplay between government and business. The ideal candidate will be adept at navigating complex stakeholder landscapes and passionate about fostering collaborations that advance the Office's interests on the global stage.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in senior management roles involving partnerships, strategic insights, and event convenings, ideally in government or diplomatic settings.
• Proven track record of developing and sustaining high-level partnerships across business and governmental sectors.
• Strong understanding of the global landscape of business and diplomacy, with experience in strategic research and insights generation.
• Exceptional communication, networking, and relationship-building skills with a diplomatic approach.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Fluency in English; Arabic language skills are highly desirable.
• Experience in leading and managing diverse, multicultural teams.