Role Purpose:
The Strategic Partnerships Lead is responsible for identifying, securing, and managing high-impact partnerships that enable the success of Dubai SME’s flagship initiatives. This role leads co-delivery and co-funding engagements with key ecosystem stakeholders—including venture capital firms, corporates, accelerators, incubators, and government agencies. Working across all five strategic pillars, the Partnerships Lead ensures collaborations directly contribute to SME growth, innovation, and investment, while aligning with broader national economic goals.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Ecosystem Partnerships & Alliances
- Identify, evaluate, and engage ecosystem players including VCs, corporates, multilateral entities, and regulators.
- Design partnership models aligned with Dubai SME’s strategic objectives and program needs.
- Negotiate and execute MOUs, funding agreements, and co-delivery frameworks.
- Manage the full partnership lifecycle—from onboarding to renewal and performance monitoring.
2. Co-Funding & Resource Mobilization
- Secure financial contributions, in-kind services, and shared investments from strategic partners.
- Structure co-investment models and collaborative program delivery frameworks.
- Track and report on co-funding impact, including leverage ratios and partner ROI.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Alignment
- Represent Dubai SME in strategic forums, steering committees, and economic councils.
- Coordinate with regulators and government entities to ensure alignment with national policy and economic priorities.
- Contribute to white papers, policy notes, and strategy documents related to SME ecosystem development.
4. Program Enablement & Delivery Support
- Ensure partner readiness and alignment with program KPIs and execution frameworks.
- Monitor partner compliance and resolve delivery-related issues.
- Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives, joint events, and co-authored publications to foster cross-sector collaboration.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Policy, or International Relations (required).
- Master’s degree or executive education in Innovation, Economics, or Public Administration (preferred).
- Professional certifications in partnership development, negotiation, or ecosystem strategy (preferred).
Experience
- 8–12 years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or ecosystem building.
- Proven track record of structuring and managing partnerships in the SME, innovation, or startup ecosystem.
- Demonstrated success in negotiating and executing MOUs or funding agreements.
- Strong understanding of public-private collaboration models, especially in the GCC or comparable global markets.
Technical Skills
- Strategic negotiation and deal structuring
- Ecosystem mapping and stakeholder analysis
- Familiarity with co-funding models, joint program delivery, and impact measurement
Core Competencies
- Ecosystem foresight and cross-sector engagement
- Strategic mindset with execution discipline
- Strong communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder influence
Job Type: Contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: AED25,000.00 - AED35,000.00 per month
