Senior Executive Director

Carter Knight FZ LLC; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the UAE is seeking a Senior Executive Director to lead strategic initiatives within the education sector. The successful candidate will have at least 20 years of experience, including at the partner level in consulting, and will work closely with senior stakeholders to drive transformation and performance improvements. This pivotal role requires a strong leadership presence and the capability to influence at both organizational and government levels, contributing to impactful change in the education sector.

Qualifications

• Experience at Partner level within a leading consulting firm or equivalent.
• Strong experience within the education sector.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale strategy initiatives.
• Exceptional influence and advisory skills at executive levels.
• 20+ years of experience in consulting or related sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development and transformation initiatives.
• Advise senior leadership on operational matters.
• Drive performance improvement across the organization.
• Engage with stakeholders for collaboration.
• Support organizational development and governance.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Strategy development

Transformation programmes

Education sector expertise

Job description

We are supporting a semi-government organisation in the UAE in the appointment of a Senior Executive Director to lead high-impact strategic initiatives within a complex and evolving environment.

This is a senior leadership role working closely with executive stakeholders to shape and drive organisation-wide strategy, transformation, and performance, with a particular focus on initiatives within the education sector. The role offers the opportunity to influence long-term direction and deliver meaningful impact at both organisational and sector level.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of organisation-wide strategy and transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with broader national and sector priorities
• Advise senior leadership on strategic, operational, and sector-specific matters, providing clear and actionable insights
• Drive performance improvement and long-term value creation across the organisation through structured transformation programmes
• Oversee and guide the delivery of complex, cross-functional initiatives, particularly within the education sector
• Engage with senior stakeholders, including government entities, regulators, and external partners, to support collaboration and alignment
• Provide leadership and direction to teams, ensuring high standards of delivery, accountability, and performance
• Support organisational development, governance frameworks, and strategic planning processes

Candidate Profile

• Experience at Partner level within a leading consulting firm or in an equivalent senior leadership role
• Strong and demonstrable experience within the education sector
• Proven track record of leading large-scale strategy and transformation programmes
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and advise at executive and government levels
• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing senior teams and complex programmes
• 20+ years of professional experience across consulting, public sector, or related environments

This is a unique opportunity to take on a highly visible leadership role, driving strategic transformation and contributing to the development and advancement of the education sector within the UAE.

For further details or to apply, please submit your CV directly.