Special Projects Lead (12-Month Contract)
Job Fit Check
Base Career helps you apply smarter for this job.
Key skills for this role
About the Role
DCT Abu Dhabi seeks a Special Projects Lead on a 12-month freelance contract to support a high-impact program leveraging AI and emerging technologies. The role involves identifying opportunities, designing projects, and overseeing execution.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- 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
- Translate approved ideas into structured, executable project plans
- Drive execution of special projects from concept through launch phase
- Coordinate cross functional teams and manage interdependencies
- Act as a thought partner to leadership on high priority strategic topics
- Support the setup of a Special Projects function, including structure and processes
Requirements
- 7–10 years of experience in top tier management consulting (MBB or strong Tier 2 firms)
- Demonstrated career progression (minimum 1–2 promotions) within the same firm
- Proven track record delivering high impact strategic or transformation projects
- Minimum 2+ years of experience in the GCC
- Strong AI conceptual proficiency
- Engineering or technical background is a plus
Full Job Posting
Job Overview
- We are looking for a Special Projects Lead to support a key initiative within DCT Abu Dhabi on a 12 month freelance contract.
- This role sits within a high impact program focused on delivering transformative initiatives leveraging AI, emerging technologies, and innovative business models.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Apply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career
More from this employer
More jobs at Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)
Business Development Lead JOB
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is seeking a Business Development Lead to identify, develop, and execute partnership opportunities. The role focuses on strategic collaborations, opportunity development,
Paid Media Specialist JOB
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is seeking a Paid Media Specialist to plan, execute, optimize, and monitor paid media campaigns across digital platforms. The role focuses on increasing brand awareness,
Interpretation Senior Specialist JOB
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi seeks an Interpretation Senior Specialist to lead the development and delivery of visitor learning resources and interpretive content across museum collections, exhibitio
Head of Sector Workforce Development
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi seeks a Head of Sector Workforce Development to design and build a complete talent pathway for the culture and tourism sector. This role involves strategy, partnership de
Head of Industry Talent Attraction
Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
DCT Abu Dhabi seeks a Head of Industry Talent Attraction on a 12-month freelance contract to design and launch a talent-sourcing proposition for a high-impact sector activation program. The role involves designing the ta
Head of Community Engagement
Abu Dhabi, UAE
We are seeking a Head of Community Engagement for a 12-month freelance contract with DCT Abu Dhabi. The role involves designing community strategy, building event portfolios, attracting global IPs, and managing KPIs. Can
Education & Skills Development Manager
Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi seeks an Education & Skills Development Manager on a 12-month contract to design and manage education and skills programs. The role involves program design, delivery coor
Community Engagement Specialist
Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
DCT Abu Dhabi seeks a Community Engagement Specialist on a 12-month freelance contract to organize community programs, manage online platforms, support events, and track engagement data. Requires hands-on event organizat
Business Development Lead JOB
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Paid Media Specialist JOB
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Interpretation Senior Specialist JOB
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Head of Sector Workforce Development
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Head of Industry Talent Attraction
Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
Head of Community Engagement
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Education & Skills Development Manager
Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
Community Engagement Specialist
Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE