Strategic Partnerships Lead, SME

Overview

Must

Must

Purpose

1. Ecosystem Partnerships & Alliances

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize partnership opportunities with VCs, corporates, accelerators, incubators, multilaterals, and regulators.
• Design partnership models aligned with Dubai SME’s strategic pillars and initiatives.
• Negotiate and execute MOUs, funding agreements, and partnership frameworks.
• Manage the full partnership lifecycle including onboarding, activation, performance, and renewal.

• Co-Funding & Resource Mobilization

• Secure financial contributions, in-kind services, and joint investment commitments from partners.
• Structure co-investment vehicles and joint delivery models with public and private stakeholders.
• Track and report partner ROI, co-funding metrics, and leverage ratios.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Alignment

• Represent Dubai SME in councils, committees, and forums at national and regional levels.
• Collaborate with regulators and government agencies to align partnerships with national economic policies.
• Contribute thought leadership through ecosystem papers, SME policy recommendations, and cross-sector strategy inputs.

• Program Enablement & Delivery Support

• Ensure partner commitments are aligned with program objectives, KPIs, and execution frameworks.
• Monitor compliance with agreed deliverables and resolve partnership issues when needed.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing through joint workshops, events, and publications.

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 in strategic partnerships, business development, or ecosystem building.
• Mandatory: Prior experience in the UAE or GCC within the SME, entrepreneurship, or innovation ecosystem.
• Demonstrated success in structuring and managing partnerships within the startup/SME space.
• Proven track record of negotiating and executing MOUs, co-funding agreements, or joint ventures.
• Familiarity with public-private partnership models in the GCC or comparable markets.

Technical Skills

• Strategic negotiation, partnership structuring, and ecosystem mapping.
• Knowledge of co-funding mechanisms, impact reporting, and joint program delivery.
• Ability to design and implement multi-stakeholder collaboration frameworks tied to economic KPIs.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong stakeholder influence and cross-sector engagement capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with disciplined execution skills.
• Excellent communication, deal execution, and relationship management abilities. Skills: strategic partnerships,ecosystem,partnerships