Technology Strategy Lead - Innovation

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 201,983 - 275,431; Full time

Job summary

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE is seeking a Technology Strategy Lead - Innovation to drive the Upstream Technology and Innovation strategy in Abu Dhabi. This role involves managing partnerships and aligning innovative technology programs with business priorities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in stakeholder management and energy strategy. This full-time position also offers a chance to contribute to ADNOC's ambition to lead in energy innovation and technology.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in stakeholder management.
• At least 5 years in a strategy role within the energy industry.
• Strong understanding of innovation strategy and technology management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of ADNOC Upstream Technology strategy.
• Manage the technology roadmap and partnership portfolio.
• Support decision-making across ADNOC Upstream Technology activities.

Skills

Technology strategy

Innovation strategy

Upstream technology

Stakeholder management

Executive reporting

Education

Bachelor Degree in Management or equivalent

Master's degree

Job description

Technology Strategy Lead - Innovation Job Snapshot
Role: Technology Strategy Lead - Innovation
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Management
Experience: Minimum 10 years in stakeholder management, including 5 years in energy strategy
Job Type: Full-time
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi
Salary: 55,000-75,000 (estimated; please confirm final offer with employer).
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any

Position Overview
Technology Strategy Lead - Innovation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a senior Oil and Energy role focused on upstream technology strategy, innovation portfolio management, new technology introduction, external partnerships, strategic marketing, and return‑on‑investment monitoring. The role supports ADNOC Group by helping shape the Upstream Technology and Innovation strategy, aligning emerging technology programs with business priorities, and ensuring innovation investments deliver measurable value.

Role Context
The Technology Strategy Lead - Innovation will provide technical and strategic support to the Manager, Technology Portfolio Management and Strategy. The position is responsible for leading strategy development, reviewing innovation goals, managing technology roadmaps, monitoring partnership portfolios, and supporting decision‑making across ADNOC Upstream Technology and Innovation activities. The role requires strong experience in stakeholder management, energy strategy, innovation governance, portfolio reporting, strategic marketing, external technology partnerships, and executive‑level communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the ADNOC Upstream Technology and Innovation strategy in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Review, prioritize, and advise leadership on strategic goals, innovation objectives, science and technology priorities, and research and development direction.
• Support the Manager, Technology Portfolio Management and Strategy with portfolio governance, strategic planning, innovation reporting, and partnership management.
• Review and maintain the technology strategy and roadmap, including emerging technologies, changing business requirements, and alignment with Group innovation strategy.
• Continuously monitor the internal and external partnership portfolio and pipeline to ensure alignment with ADNOC business and Group strategies.
• Manage the health of external technology strategies and partnerships, ensuring investments create value, support capability building, and develop technical talent.
• Lead innovation portfolio management activities, including prioritization, strategic evaluation, performance tracking, and return‑on‑investment monitoring.
• Support the New Technology Introduction process by assessing technology readiness, business relevance, value potential, and implementation priorities.
• Identify new opportunities for growth through strategic marketing, technology mapping, product differentiation, and competitive advantage creation.
• Communicate and market ADNOC innovation capabilities externally to position the organization as a thought leader in science, technology, AI, and emerging technologies.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly innovation portfolio consolidations, including partnership reports, external technology reports, emerging technology trends, and strategic marketing updates.
• Prepare innovation progress summaries, portfolio highlights, ad‑hoc reporting, executive presentations, and analysis for special projects.
• Regularly report to leadership on innovation portfolio health, strategic alignment, partnership performance, and return on innovation investment.
• Perform, manage, or advise on partnership and strategy matters to assess the potential of different opportunities within the technology portfolio.
• Conduct project quality control and peer review for selected projects within the technology and innovation portfolio.
• Support preparation of reports, documents, presentations, and decision materials for senior stakeholders.
• Gather information from internal teams, Group Companies, consultants, contractors, vendors, and external partners to support strategic decision‑making.
• Plan, supervise, and coordinate activities in the assigned area to meet functional and strategic objectives.
• Recommend knowledge transfer opportunities and support development of assigned staff on relevant skills and innovation management practices.
• Provide input into project budgets, approved work plans, cost control, and variance monitoring.
• Implement approved policies, systems, procedures, standards, and governance processes in line with company and international requirements.
• Recommend improvements to policies, guidelines, tools, and frameworks to improve efficiency and align technology management practices with industry standards.
• Contribute to innovation, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and smarter portfolio decision‑making.
• Ensure appropriate measures are taken in line with HSE policies, sustainability guidelines, applicable legislation, and ADNOC Code of Practices.
• Provide MIS inputs, progress reports, and management updates when requested by the project manager, team leader, or senior leadership.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor Degree in Management or an equivalent discipline.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in stakeholder management within a large organization.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in a strategy role within the energy industry.
• Strong understanding of innovation strategy, technology portfolio management, new technology introduction, and external partnership governance.
• Experience supporting technology roadmaps, innovation investments, strategic marketing, emerging technology programs, or research and development portfolios.
• Ability to assess technology opportunities, business alignment, investment value, partnership performance, and long‑term strategic impact.
• Strong exposure to cross‑functional coordination across divisions, directorates, Group Companies, consultants, contractors, vendors, or external technology partners.
• Experience preparing leadership reports, executive presentations, portfolio dashboards, progress summaries, and special project analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, assess complex information, and provide clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Self‑starter with urgency, accountability, and a proactive approach to portfolio delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong team player who can work closely and productively with technical, commercial, strategy, and innovation teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, reporting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to HSE, sustainability, innovation, continuous improvement, and high standards of governance.

Skills Set

• Technology strategy
• Innovation strategy
• Upstream technology
• Innovation portfolio management
• Technology portfolio management
• New Technology Introduction
• Emerging technologies
• Strategic marketing
• External technology partnerships
• Partnership portfolio management
• Technology roadmap
• Research and development strategy
• Innovation investment
• Return on investment monitoring
• Portfolio prioritization
• Stakeholder management
• Executive reporting
• Strategic planning
• Portfolio consolidation
• Partnership reporting
• Technology trend analysis
• AI and emerging technology awareness
• Competitive advantage mapping
• Product differentiation
• Business strategy alignment
• Innovation governance
• Project quality control
• Peer review
• Budget input
• Variance analysis
• MIS reporting
• Presentation preparation
• Cross‑functional coordination
• Vendor coordination
• Consultant coordination
• Continuous improvement
• HSE compliance

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to ADNOC Group's upstream innovation agenda in Abu Dhabi by shaping technology strategy, strengthening external partnerships, and improving the value delivered from innovation investments. It is suited for a strategy‑focused professional who wants to work on high‑impact technology programs, support executive decision‑making, promote emerging technologies, and help position ADNOC as a leader in energy innovation, AI and advanced technology adoption.

About the Company

ADNOC Group is a leading energy organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with a major presence across upstream exploration, production, technology development, operational excellence, and sustainable energy growth. The company invests in innovation, artificial intelligence, strategic partnerships, and advanced technologies to enhance performance, strengthen competitiveness, and create long‑term value across the energy sector.