Consulting Manager, Innovation

eSense; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Riyadh is looking for a highly skilled Consulting Manager, Innovation. You will lead strategic engagements and guide clients in adopting emerging technologies. The ideal candidate should have extensive consulting experience, a strong understanding of innovation methodologies, and hands-on experience with Saudi government projects. Effective communication in Arabic and English is crucial. This role promises an exciting work environment focused on digital transformation and innovation strategies.

Qualifications

• 7–12 years of experience in consulting or innovation.
• Prior experience with Saudi government entities.
• Develop training programs for innovation and AI.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation frameworks and standards aligned with DGA.
• Manage consulting projects in digital transformation.
• Conduct research on innovation trends and global standards.

Skills

Innovation methodologies

AI governance

Research and problem-solving

Communication in Arabic and English

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant fields

Tools

ISO Innovation Management certifications

Project Management (PMP, Agile)

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Consulting Manager, Innovation to lead strategic innovation engagements, guide government and private entities in adopting emerging technologies, and ensure alignment with national digital transformation frameworks, with emphasis on Qiyas. The ideal candidate will have strong consulting experience, deep knowledge of innovation models, and hands-on expertise working with Saudi government entities.

Key Responsibilities

• Innovation Frameworks & Standards
  • Develop and implement innovation frameworks aligned with Digital Government Authority (DGA) standards, Qiyas Maturity Index, Emerging Technologies Requirements, and Innovation Lab (معمل الابتكار) guidelines.
  • Design comprehensive toolkits, methodologies, and templates to help organizations establish innovation practices.
• Building Innovation Practices for Clients
  • Lead the setup of Innovation and Emerging Technologies Practices within client entities, including operating models, governance and policies, mandates, roles and responsibilities, capability-building and training programs, and innovation KPIs and performance frameworks.
  • Guide entities in launching AI use cases, digital experimentation, and PoC/PoV programs.
• Awards, Recognition & Compliance
  • Prepare entities for DGA Innovation Awards, digital transformation recognitions, and other national maturity assessments.
  • Lead gap assessments, readiness reviews, and compliance roadmaps for clients targeting high scores in national indices.
• Consulting & Digital Transformation Engagements
  • Manage end-to-end consulting projects in digital transformation, innovation strategy, AI and emerging technologies, data governance, and service innovation and customer experience.
  • Deliver executive-quality reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations.
• Research & Emerging Trends
  • Conduct research on global and local innovation trends, including global standards (ISO 56000 series, OECD, NIST, WIPO) and Saudi innovation and digital government standards.
  • Lead analysis of leading emerging technology domains (AI, IoT, Digital Twins, Blockchain, XR, Robotics, Generative AI) and translate global best practices into implementable recommendations for Saudi organizations.
• Stakeholder & Client Management
  • Work directly with government officials, C-level executives, and transformation leaders.
  • Facilitate workshops, design sprints, and innovation lab activities with cross-functional teams.
• Capability Building & Knowledge Transfer
  • Develop and deliver training programs on innovation, AI, and emerging technologies.
  • Establish sustainable knowledge transfer plans to embed innovation culture within client organizations.
  • Mentor junior consultants and contribute to internal practice development.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Innovation Management, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Digital Transformation, or related fields.

Certifications (Required / Preferred)

• GINI – Global Innovation Institute (CInP, CInS, CInO)
• DGA or SDAIA certifications (preferred)
• Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum)
• AI-related certifications (e.g., Applied AI, Generative AI, Data Governance)
• ISO Innovation Management certifications (ISO 56000 series) — preferred

Experience

• 7–12 years of experience in consulting firms, innovation, digital transformation, or emerging technologies.
• Prior experience working with Saudi government entities is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience implementing:
  • DGA compliance
  • Qiyas Maturity Index assessments
  • Emerging Technologies Indicators
  • AI governance frameworks
• Demonstrated success in building innovation units, labs, or digital innovation programs.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of innovation methodologies (Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Open Innovation).
• Excellent knowledge of AI governance, data ethics, GenAI, and modern emerging technologies.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities (Arabic & English).
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects with tight deadlines.
• Leadership skills to mentor teams and manage client engagements.