6 Innovation Strategy jobs in the United Arab Emirates

Help AG is looking for a talented Strategy & Innovation Intern who will work directly with the Senior Director – Strategy & Innovation, supporting initiatives that shape the future of Help AG and strengthen its position as the region’s trusted cybersecurity and digital transformation advisor.

This internship is ideal for a motivated, curious, and tech-savvy individual passionate about strategy, emerging technologies, and innovation storytelling. The intern will gain exposure to strategic planning, go-to-market programs, ecosystem partnerships, and thought leadership development, with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to high-visibility projects.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and execution of innovative growth initiatives.

• Conduct research on emerging technologies and market trends, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather insights and contribute to the implementation of innovative ideas.

• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify new opportunities for growth.

• Assist in the creation of presentations, pitches, and other communication materials that articulate the strategic vision to internal and external stakeholders.

• Support the development of content for thought leadership, including blogs, articles, and social media posts.

• Work closely with internal teams to ensure seamless communication and collaboration across departments.

• Support the Senior Director in engaging with key stakeholders, including internal teams, partners, and industry leaders.

• Help manage communication and coordination with external partners for strategy and innovation-related projects.

• Support Customer Advisory Board planning and other executive-level engagements.

• Help craft compelling narratives around Help AG’s strategy and innovation initiatives.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Communications, Technology, or a related field.

• Strong interest in technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to research and synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.

• Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative and a desire to learn and grow.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Familiarity with cybersecurity and emerging technologies is a plus.

Benefits:

• Career progression and growth through challenging projects and work.

• Employee engagement and wellness campaigns activities throughout the year.

• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

• Inclusive and diverse working environment.

• Flexible/Hybrid working environment.

• Open door policy.

About Us:

Help AG is the cybersecurity arm of e& enterprise (formerly Etisalat Digital) and provides leading enterprise businesses across the Middle East with strategic consultancy combined with tailored information security solutions and services that address their diverse requirements, enabling them to evolve securely with a competitive edge.

Present in the Middle East since 2004, Help AG was strategically acquired by e& (formerly Etisalat Group) in 2020, hence creating a cybersecurity and digital transformation powerhouse in the region.

Help AG has firmly established itself as the region's trusted IT security advisor by remaining vendor-agnostic, trustworthy, independent, and maintaining its focus on all aspects of cybersecurity.

With best of breed technologies from industry-leading vendor partners, expertly qualified service delivery teams and a state-of-the-art consulting practice, Help AG delivers unmatched value to its customers by strengthening their cyber defenses and safeguarding their business.

Help AG is looking for a talented Strategy & Innovation Intern who will work directly with the Senior Director – Strategy & Innovation, supporting initiatives that shape the future of Help AG and strengthen its position as the region’s trusted cybersecurity and digital transformation advisor.

This internship is ideal for a motivated, curious, and tech-savvy individual passionate about strategy, emerging technologies, and innovation storytelling. The intern will gain exposure to strategic planning, go-to-market programs, ecosystem partnerships, and thought leadership development, with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to high-visibility projects.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and execution of innovative growth initiatives.

• Conduct research on emerging technologies and market trends, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather insights and contribute to the implementation of innovative ideas.

• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify new opportunities for growth.

• Assist in the creation of presentations, pitches, and other communication materials that articulate the strategic vision to internal and external stakeholders.

• Support the development of content for thought leadership, including blogs, articles, and social media posts.

• Work closely with internal teams to ensure seamless communication and collaboration across departments.

• Support the Senior Director in engaging with key stakeholders, including internal teams, partners, and industry leaders.

• Help manage communication and coordination with external partners for strategy and innovation-related projects.

• Support Customer Advisory Board planning and other executive-level engagements.

• Help craft compelling narratives around Help AG’s strategy and innovation initiatives.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Communications, Technology, or a related field.

• Strong interest in technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to research and synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights.

• Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative and a desire to learn and grow.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Familiarity with cybersecurity and emerging technologies is a plus.

Benefits:

• Career progression and growth through challenging projects and work.

• Employee engagement and wellness campaigns activities throughout the year.

• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

• Inclusive and diverse working environment.

• Flexible/Hybrid working environment.

• Open door policy.

About Us:

Help AG is the cybersecurity arm of e& enterprise (formerly Etisalat Digital) and provides leading enterprise businesses across the Middle East with strategic consultancy combined with tailored information security solutions and services that address their diverse requirements, enabling them to evolve securely with a competitive edge.

Present in the Middle East since 2004, Help AG was strategically acquired by e& (formerly Etisalat Group) in 2020, hence creating a cybersecurity and digital transformation powerhouse in the region.

Help AG has firmly established itself as the region's trusted IT security advisor by remaining vendor-agnostic, trustworthy, independent, and maintaining its focus on all aspects of cybersecurity.

With best of breed technologies from industry-leading vendor partners, expertly qualified service delivery teams and a state-of-the-art consulting practice, Help AG delivers unmatched value to its customers by strengthening their cyber defenses and safeguarding their business.

Innovation & Strategy Consultant - 3 Month Consultancy Contract - Abu Dhabi

Salt has a 3-month contract with one of our key long-term Consulting partners in the region.

We are seeking an experienced Innovation & Strategy Consultant to join on-site in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in consulting, strategy and innovation work, plus a passion for project-based work, and a proven ability to engage clients and stakeholders effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and facilitate innovation and strategy workshops for clients across various sectors
• Apply design thinking methodologies to uncover insights, define challenges, and co-create solutions
• Lead and contribute to client-facing engagements, including interviews, presentations, and workshops
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop strategic recommendations and innovation roadmaps
• Translate complex problems into actionable strategies through structured frameworks and creative thinking

Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to lead or co-facilitate collaborative workshops and ideation sessions
• Prior experience in a consultancy environment, working across multiple projects
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders
• Solid understanding of design thinking principles and innovation methodologies
• A strategic mindset with a hands-on, solution-oriented approach

Job Title: Head of Strategy and Innovation – UAE

Client: Financial Services

Location: Dubai

Salary: Competitive Salary Package + Benefits

JOB PURPOSE

• To support the MD in all aspects of the business and strategic management ensuring effective management of the business. This includes working with the MD’s Executive Committee to ensure that requests from the MD are delivered.
• The role holder is responsible for all MD staff related activities e.g. design of key reports/ presentations/ templates, communications, office management and project tracking/reporting.
• Support the MD who has the overall accountability for the Bank and a significant mandate to expand the brand.
• In addition, the role holder will also be accountable for special projects assigned by the MD. These projects will provide scope for leading virtual teams and will provide an opportunity to gain greater hands-on exposure to the country operations.
• Role holder will also be responsible for tracking business intelligence, advising and reporting to the MD.
• Understanding of own role in the end-to-end processes in which you play a part, including applicable risks and controls.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Relevant work experience in a reputable organization.
• Sound knowledge of local banking laws and regulations.
• Business intelligence.
• Fair knowledge of international best practice guidance methodologies.
• Evidence of experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Project management.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good team building and supervisory skills.
• Experience in Microsoft Word & Excel.
• Ability to think strategically, plan, and communicate with large disparate numbers of people.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Business Co-ordination

• Support the Managing Director to deliver business growth by providing value-creating business back-office support.
• Develop advanced knowledge of emerging markets, including industry trends, competitor information, industry services and solutions and their impact on industry clients.
• Understand Banking operating policies and procedures necessary to ensure appropriate organizational decision-making protocols are understood and followed.
• Assist MD in relationship building with various stakeholders, regulators and key constituencies.
• Build Industry networks to increase communication/knowledge sharing & disseminate valuable insights.
• Collaborate with other business units in management information reporting.

Execution

• Plan key committee and board meetings, including tracking, monitoring and follow-up on the progress of projects, action items, strategies that emanate from MD’s office, management committee, etc.; board presentations, prepare agendas, develop memos, management reports, communication, correspondence.
• Work with Executive Assistant to the MD to ensure accuracy of calendar, review mail and draft responses as appropriate, or forward to the appropriate person for response and/or reply.
• Coordinate/lead business performance review meetings.
• Oversee business-wide initiative coordination regarding strategic initiatives.
• Critical issue management and follow up with businesses and support functions on behalf of the MD.
• Create strong relationships with the MD’s direct reports and across the business in order to create smooth working relationships and efficiencies.
• Follow up on agreed targets on income and expenditure with businesses.
• Ensure timely and consistent best execution of initiatives and business as usual activities within personal accountabilities.
• Develop monitoring tools to drive execution of business initiatives.

Strategic planning

• Ability to develop visions and translate into strategies and operational delivery.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficient delivery of Bank business model.
• Actively participate in joint venture negotiations and or entry into new emerging markets: due diligence, integration and accelerated capture of benefits of newly formed venture.
• Ensure improvement and strengthening the fraud control framework by ensuring very strong systems are in place to prevent/ reduce fraud to the barest minimum.

Knowledge, Expertise and Experience Essential

• Skilled communicator at a wide variety of levels and capabilities.
• 5 years+ management experience.
• Ability to envision the strategic direction of the leadership team, see connections and devise communications that build broad support to deliver those elements.
• Able to work successfully in different cultures in a sensitive manner in order to create strong relationships with senior leadership.
• A high degree of discretion, prioritization, and project management skills, as well as the ability to influence and reach amicable and successful solutions.
• Strong and demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, in particular to deliver strong presentation skills.
• High energy level and good judgment.
• Ability to clearly & concisely present concepts to senior management.
• Analytical, business and financial literate, detail-oriented, organized, and able to juggle multiple tasks and timelines.
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience of creating an overall improvement in performance and productivity.
• Politically astute and able to understand the dynamics of large, complex organizations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree; Master’s in Business Administration or relevant discipline.
• Change management.
• Project management.

Full time | MDX | United Arab Emirates

Posted On 03/03/2025

The role is for an experienced academic with a strong track record in high-quality teaching and service to the University through leadership and management. This is typically combined with a proven record of impactful research.

To lead and contribute to research, learning and teaching, and knowledge transfer, benefiting students, the School, the University, and the wider community.

Ability to effectively teach digital marketing practice to undergraduate and postgraduate students, ensuring hands-on, real-world experience aligned with current industry best practices. Develop engaging teaching materials and implement innovative, practice-based learning and teaching approaches that reflect the latest trends, tools, and techniques in the field.

Learning and Teaching

• Deliver high-quality teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Contribute to the design, development, and evaluation of courses and programmes in collaboration with colleagues in Dubai and London
• Identify and integrate best and innovative practices in learning and teaching into personal teaching methods
• Ensure that personal research and subject knowledge inform teaching practices
• Actively contribute to initiatives that identify, implement, and promote best practices in teaching and learning across the faculty and institution
• Integrate research insights and materials into the curriculum
• Take lead responsibility for a programme area, subject, or course, as required
• Enhance student experience and outcomes
• Provide academic advice and support to students
• Work closely with teaching, technical, and administrative staff to ensure a high-quality teaching and learning environment

Research and Knowledge Transfer

• Promote the development of the Campus’s research capacity and culture
• Lead and shape major research projects and/or collaborations
• Maintain a strong personal research profile with outputs of high international standing
• Demonstrate a commitment to creating societal impact through research and knowledge transfer
• Supervise Master’s students in research and dissertation projects

Academic Leadership and Management

• Lead learning and teaching activities in a designated area, such as programme leadership
• Manage research and knowledge transfer activities, including self-contained projects or contributions to broader programmes
• Contribute to cross-Campus activities, including student recruitment, induction, assessment, and national and international partnerships
• Represent colleagues and students on Campus committees, as required
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and coaching to colleagues
• Manage allocated people and resources effectively
• Undertake additional duties as required

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Postgraduate qualification (normally a doctorate or equivalent) in Strategy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Business Management, or a related field
• Expertise in strategic management concepts, including competitive advantage, business model innovation, and corporate strategy
• Strong understanding of innovation management, design thinking, and emerging business technologies
• Knowledge of digital transformation, disruptive innovation, and technology-driven business strategies
• Experience with entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and venture creation within corporate or startup environments
• Familiarity with sustainability, responsible innovation, and the role of ESG in strategic decision-making
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality teaching in most of the following areas:
• Strategic Analysis and Competitive Advantage
• Business Model Innovation and Digital Transformation
• Corporate Strategy, Mergers, and Acquisitions
• Technology and Innovation Management
• Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
• Design Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving
• Sustainable and Responsible Innovation
• Strong commitment to industry engagement, with experience integrating real-world business challenges, case studies, and practitioner insights into teaching
• Ability to design and deliver hands-on, practice-based learning experiences such as live projects, simulations, or consultancy-based coursework
• Evidence of a track record of research outputs, normally of high international standing, commensurate with career stage
• Track record of innovation in teaching and learning, including curriculum design and promotion of good professional practice

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Industry experience in strategic consulting, innovation management, entrepreneurship, or corporate strategy
• Experience applying strategy and innovation frameworks to real-world business challenges
• Familiarity with digital tools for strategy development, business intelligence, and innovation management
• Knowledge of emerging trends such as AI in strategy, platform business models, and the future of work
• Track record of securing research and knowledge transfer funding
• Record of success in undertaking, supervising, and managing research activity, including master’s and PhD supervision
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education or an equivalent teaching qualification