Head of Strategic Initiatives

Life at Dubai Future Foundation  

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai’s leadership to keep Dubai 10 years ahead, institutionalizing future-oriented thinking and forward
looking methodologies that position Dubai as the leading city of the future. In collaboration with government entities, global institutions, startups, and innovators, DFF drives collective efforts to imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.  Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the Foundation oversees a portfolio of initiatives that include the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, Dubai Future Accelerators, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Forum, Dubai Centre for AI, and the Dubai RDI Program. 
Through these platforms, DFF institutionalizes foresight, enables innovation, builds talent, and designs the systems and industries that will keep Dubai 10 years ahead in 
every dimension of its future.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website: www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture?

The Head of Strategic Initiatives leads the Strategic Initiatives function, an embedded capability sitting within the Institute's Strategy, Investment & External Outreach function 
and reporting to the Director of Strategy. Overseeing Senior Manager(s) and Manager(s) on the team, this role owns the end-to-end portfolio of the RDI and Institute's highest-priority strategic work — from foundational strategy and operating 
model design at launch, through Research Centre activation, governance design, and commercialisation initiatives, to executive advisory. The role partners directly with the 
CEO's office, Research Centre leadership, and the Institute's HQ functions (TTO, Investments & Deal Structuring, External Outreach, Support Services), deploying the team flexibly across projects as priorities shift with the Institute's growth.

Why this role is important?

This role is important because it sets the strategic direction and standards for how the Institute designs, governs and scales itself — from a single-site launch through to a 
mature, multi-centre research organisation. By owning the sequencing of strategic priorities with the CEO and Director of Strategy, advising on governance and commercialisation, and building an internal strategic capability from the ground up, this role ensures the Institute's most consequential decisions are shaped by rigorous, benchmarked strategic thinking and translated into disciplined execution. 
  
Head of Strategic Initiatives

• Portfolio Leadership 
  Lead the Strategic Initiatives function and own the end-to-end portfolio of strategic initiatives across RDI and the Institute. 
• Partner with the CEO, Director of Strategy and executive leadership to define, sequence and prioritise strategic programmes in line with the Institute's phased growth plan (Launch, Planned Research Centres, Ramp-up, Target).
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation, including Research Centre activation, operating model design and governance 
  frameworks.
• Stretch the team's focus across strategic projects and ad hoc assignments spanning both RDI and the Institute, as priorities are set by the Director of Strategy. 

Thought Leadership & Advisory

• Provide thought leadership on strategy, governance, operating models and transformation, drawing on benchmarks from comparable global research institutes (e.g., Max Planck Society, CNRS, Fraunhofer, RIKEN, A*STAR).
• Advise the CEO's office and Research Centre leadership on commercialisation, spin-off governance, and IP/tech-transfer strategy in coordination with the TTO and Investments & Deal Structuring functions. 

Governance & Standards

• Establish methodologies, quality standards and project governance for strategic work across the Institute.
• Own the executive and governance-committee reporting cadence for strategic initiatives. 

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Coach and develop the Strategic Initiatives team as it grows alongside the Institute.
• Present recommendations and progress updates to senior leadership and governance committees, including government stakeholders.
• Build organisational capability through knowledge transfer and continuous improvement of strategic methods and tools. 

What Dubai Future Foundation offers?  

DFF offers a dynamic and mission-driven environment that values collaboration, excellence, and measurable impact. You will work alongside multidisciplinary teams passionate about execution, innovation, and the future of Dubai. Expect diverse challenges, high-level exposure, and the opportunity  tocontribute directly to shaping Dubai’s readiness for the future. 

• 12–15+ years in strategy consulting and/or corporate strategy, with leadership experience.
• Experience shaping strategy or operating models for research, scientific, or government/semi-government institutions is highly desirable.
•  Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Public Policy or a related field.  
• Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred. 

Skills & Competencies

• Strategy development
• Transformation leadership
• Operating model design
• Governance
• Executive stakeholder management, including government and international benchmark institutions
• Portfolio management
• People leadership
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Communication and influence