Special Projects Lead (12-Month Contract)

We are currently looking for a Special Projects Lead to support a key initiative within the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) on a 12-month freelance contract.

DCT Abu Dhabi is the government entity responsible for driving the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, playing a central role in positioning the emirate as a global hub for culture, creativity, and tourism.

This role sits within a high-impact program focused on delivering transformative, high-impact initiatives leveraging AI, emerging technologies, and innovative business models to accelerate sector growth and unlock new opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Ideation & Opportunity Development

• Identify, evaluate, and shape high-impact, innovative initiatives across priority sectors
• Scan global markets for disruptive trends, emerging technologies, and whitespace opportunities
• Develop business cases and investment theses for new initiatives
• Present concepts to senior leadership for prioritization

Project Design & Structuring

• Translate approved ideas into structured, executable project plans
• Define scope, success metrics, governance frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies
• Identify and engage partners, vendors, and potential co-investors
• Establish reporting cadences and governance models

Launch & Execution Oversight

• Drive execution of special projects from concept through launch phase
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage interdependencies
• Track progress, resolve blockers, and escalate risks where required
• Transition projects to permanent teams once stabilized

Strategic Advisory

• Act as a thought partner to leadership on high-priority strategic topics
• Provide ad hoc analysis and contribute to long-term strategic roadmap

Function Setup & Incubation

• Support the setup of a Special Projects function, including structure and processes
• Build and scale teams for each initiative (define skillsets, hiring needs, operating models)

Requirements

• 7–10 years of experience in top-tier management consulting (MBB or strong Tier 2 firms such as Strategy&, Kearney, Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, ADL)
• Demonstrated career progression (minimum 1–2 promotions) within the same firm
• Proven track record delivering high-impact strategic or transformation projects

Core Capabilities

• Exceptional structured thinking and problem-solving
• Ability to operate in ambiguous, zero-to-one environments
• Strong executive presence and stakeholder management at senior levels
• Experience in business case development and financial modelling
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort around innovation and risk

Experience & Exposure

• Strong exposure to emerging technologies (AI, digital platforms, metaverse, blockchain, etc.) with practical understanding
• Engineering or technical background is a plus
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in the GCC (required)
• Strong AI conceptual proficiency

📍 Location: Abu Dhabi

📅 Contract: 12 months

If this sounds relevant to your background, please apply and submit your updated CV.