Job Description

Position : Project Lead
Duration : February 2026 - December 2026
Location : Abu Dhabi (Candidates based in UAE will be preferred)
Role Purpose
The Special Projects Lead is responsible for designing, managing, and executing high-impact strategic initiatives that accelerate global growth, positioning, and outcomes of a flagship investment forum.
This role drives cross-functional projects across government entities, financial centres, global stakeholders, and investor communities -- ensuring the platform evolves into a year-round, deal-centric, globally recognised investment ecosystem aligned with a long-term vision.
The Special Projects Lead acts as a strategic operator, problem-solver, and ecosystem orchestrator , translating long-term vision into tangible deliverables, measurable impact, and sustained global influence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Programme Design & Execution
Translate the forum's multi-year strategy into actionable special projects, pilots, and workstreams aligned with core pillars such as:
Enhancing value proposition, deal platforms, sector tracks, digital platforms, global editions, roadshows, community-building, and impact reporting.
Lead development of new formats including investor briefings, closed-door roundtables, C-suite engagements, site visits, and thematic tracks.
Build frameworks that support transition into a year-round global investor ecosystem. 2. Global Expansion & Market Activation
Support expansion into priority global markets (e.g., London, Shanghai, Singapore, New York, Tokyo) by designing and overseeing regional roadshows and dual-hub editions.
Coordinate with embassies, ministries, overseas offices, and external partners to deliver high-quality international activations. 3. Ecosystem & Community Building
Develop and manage alumni networks, investor roundtables, ambassador/champion programmes, and year-round investor touchpoints.
Work with digital teams to launch and evolve a Digital Hub -- including matchmaking, content libraries, deal-flow dashboards, and membership models.
Build investor engagement mechanisms that strengthen community retention and grow follow-on deal flow. 4. Strategic Content, Research & Thought Leadership
Commission white papers, investment outlook reports, and sector insights in partnership with think tanks and academic institutions.
Lead development of metrics frameworks, annual impact reports, dashboards, and investor-outcome tracking.
Maintain thought-leadership positioning across priority sectors such as energy transition, advanced manufacturing, fintech, health & life sciences, climate, and ESG. 5. Stakeholder Management & Partnerships
Collaborate with government entities, free zones, innovation hubs, and industrial clusters to curate high-value opportunity pipelines for programming.
Build and manage strategic partnerships with global institutions, corporates, investors, and ecosystem enablers. 6. Operational Excellence & Risk Management
Ensure flawless execution of special projects, maintaining a global reputation for high-calibre, investor-centric delivery.
Identify and mitigate risks including investor fatigue, geographic relevance, deal-flow weakness, and programme repetition.
Maintain stringent quality across speakers, sessions, delegates, logistics, and partner experiences. Key Deliverables
Digital investment platform launch and annual enhancements
Annual Investment Outlook Report
Annual Impact Report with defined performance metrics
Alumni Network & Ambassador Programme
Deal-platform execution framework
Quarterly investor roundtables and community events
Sector councils and thematic tracks
Global roadshows and dual-hub editions
Opportunity pipeline curation and matchmaking systems Success Metrics (KPIs)
1. Deal Flow & Outcomes
Number and value of investment leads generated
Volume of MoUs, partnerships, and follow-on investor engagements
Contribution to non-oil sector growth and foreign direct investment targets
2. Community & Engagement
Growth and retention of the investor community
Digital platform usage and match-success rates
Participation in year-round investor activities
3. Brand & Global Positioning
Quality and reach of media coverage
Brand recognition in priority markets
Thought-leadership output and international visibility
4. Operational Excellence
On-time delivery of strategic projects
Stakeholder satisfaction (investors, partners, government)
Risk mitigation and consistency of quality across editions Qualifications & Experience
Essential
15-20+ years' experience in investment promotion, strategic communications, global events, economic development, consulting, or large-scale programme management.
Proven track record running cross-border initiatives, investor engagement programmes, or special projects at senior level.
Strong stakeholder management across government, private sector, and global markets.
Experience building investor communities, ecosystems, or strategic partnerships.
Exceptional communication, project management, and analytical skills.
Preferred
Experience with investment forums, financial centres, sovereign or institutional investors, or global roadshows.
Understanding of economic diversification priorities and global investor landscapes.
Ability to design frameworks, dashboards, reports, and structured programmes. Personal Attributes
Highly strategic, detail-oriented, and execution-driven
Comfortable operating independently in ambiguous environments
Strong diplomatic judgement and stakeholder sensitivity
Global mindset with cross-cultural fluency
Ability to move fast, challenge status quo, and deliver under pressure
Innovative, resourceful, and aligned with the ambition of building a world-class global investment platform

Skills Required