Strategic Business Manager

Inspire Selection; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in the UAE seeks a Strategic Business Manager to support the Head of Media & Communication. This mid-level position offers a unique opportunity to drive strategic initiatives and innovation across a dynamic media portfolio. The role involves leadership support, business planning, and cross-functional collaboration, ideally suited for a candidate with an MBA and substantial experience in strategy or operations.

Benefits

Work directly with executive leadership on strategic initiatives

Opportunity to influence growth and innovation

Fast-paced work environment

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, or media environments.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate initiatives across OOH businesses and the advertising agency.
• Identify performance gaps and optimize operations.
• Conduct market research for new business ventures.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Leadership

Ownership mindset

Education

MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification

Job description

We are seeking a highly capable and resourceful Strategic Business Manager to support the Head of Media & Communication. This is a mid-level, high-impact role offering a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy, execution, innovation, and transformation across a dynamic and growing media portfolio. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and a hands-on operator, capable of managing multiple initiatives, supporting investment decisions, and ensuring alignment between the media portfolio’s goals and business transformation efforts. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Execution & Leadership Support - Act as a thought partner to the Head of Media & Communication, helping translate strategic priorities into actionable plans - Coordinate key vertical-wide initiatives across OOH businesses and the advertising agency - Monitor progress of transformation projects and ensure timely execution of key deliverables Business Planning & Operational Oversight - Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between media subsidiaries and central teams - Identify performance gaps and improvement areas; propose and follow through on initiatives to optimize operations - Support budget planning, KPI tracking, and performance reporting Growth & Investment Support - Conduct market research and opportunity assessments for new business ventures (organic and inorganic) - Assist in preparing investment memos, financial models, and business cases - Liaise with internal and external stakeholders for deal evaluation and execution Innovation & AI Enablement - Collaborate with internal innovation teams to pilot AI or tech-led initiatives across subsidiaries - Track trends, vendors, and internal experiments to accelerate innovation adoption Communication & Reporting - Prepare high-quality presentations, board materials, and strategic communications - Serve as a liaison between the media vertical and supporting business functions (e.g., Strategy, Finance, Transformation)

- 5–8 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, business operations, or media/advertising/tech environments - Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in complex organizations - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills - High ownership mindset, with ability to work independently and under pressure - Understanding of the media or advertising landscape is a strong plus Education: - MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification Why Join Us: - Work directly with executive leadership on high-priority strategic initiatives - Influence the growth of a media portfolio leading innovation in the UAE and beyond - Operate in a fast-paced environment that values initiative, innovation, and impact