161 Strategic Planner jobs in the United Arab Emirates

Strategic Financial Leadership

Our Abu Dhabi-based client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Finance Leader to oversee financial planning, performance analysis, and strategic decision support. This role will focus on driving financial transformation, digitalisation, and long-term value creation across the portfolio.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in FP&A, strong commercial insight, and a passion for enabling smarter business decisions through analytics and collaboration.

A CFA holder or MBA from a reputable institution with experience in Group FP&A or an Economist/Corporate Finance background is desired. The successful candidate should demonstrate a track record of driving change, improvements, and a proactive approach to budgeting, business planning, and senior stakeholder management.

Experience in utilising data, analytics, and implementing new technology to streamline data collection and analysis is highly desirable.

This role requires a native Arabic speaker due to the nature of stakeholder relationships across the group.

• Financial Planning
  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

As a master planner, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organization by developing long-term plans that align with our strategic goals. Your expertise in project management, coordination, and regulatory compliance will ensure seamless execution of projects from conception to completion.

YKONE Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Join to apply for the Strategic Planner, Influencer Marketing role at YKONE

YKONE Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Join to apply for the Strategic Planner, Influencer Marketing role at YKONE

YKONE is a global influence marketing-led group with a creative DNA, empowered by data. Since 2008, we have been helping iconic brands from the travel, fashion, luxury and beauty industries to connect with, engage or grow their audience through crafted stories and spread by powerful and creative influencers. Our clients include Nespresso, Boss, Clarins Group, TAG Heuer, Estée Lauder Group, Chopard, Prada, Shiseido. as well as several Tourism Offices in the world (Visit Abu Dhabi, Visit Turkey, Visit the USA.). As a group, YKONE fosters a responsible attitude by engaging committed actions: client’s satisfaction, diversity & inclusion, environmental sensitization and carbon footprint calculation. Headquartered in Paris, YKONE has offices in Milan, Dubai, Berlin, Munich, Abu Dhabi, Geneva, Riyadh, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Las Vegas.

YOUR MISSION

As a Strategic Planner at Ykone, your mission is to bridge data and creativity to shape compelling influencer and celebrity marketing campaigns. You will dive into both quantitative and qualitative KPIs—social media performance, engagement metrics, and audience insights—to uncover powerful creative opportunities.

You will gather and interpret real-time data, create comprehensive reports at both macro and micro levels, and translate findings into actionable insights. As a client-facing role, strong strategic thinking and the ability to connect data to creativity and business outcomes are essential.

YOUR SKILLS

• Strong understanding of tourism industry & landscape
• In-depth knowledge of Abu Dhabi’s cultural and tourism environment, plus awareness of the international markets
• Experience working with social media data, especially influencer and celebrity analytics, and familiarity with data tools
• Fluent in English speaker, other languages are a plus

WORK EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Communications, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of experience as a Strategist or Creative Strategist

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Trends & insights

Monitor platforms, industry movements, and emerging behaviors to identify creative opportunities that align with target audiences and brand values.

• Monitor and analyze global and regional trends across social media, influencer & tourism industry
• Deliver monthly trend reports and ad hoc insight decks to inform project teams and client
• Track emerging platform behaviors, creator movements, and cultural moments to inspire proactive campaign ideas
• Curate relevant case studies and industry benchmarks to keep the team informed and strategically positioned
• Be able to reply to client briefs and write strategic recommendation decks working with the creative studio (Creative Consultant, Art Director)
• Participate in internal brainstorms, concept development, and storyboarding with a strategic lens
• Contribute to proposal writing by integrating data-driven insights, trend analysis, and brand-specific creative opportunities
• Ensure a consistent and relevant narrative thread from strategy through execution across all campaign touchpoints
• Collaborate cross-functionally with project and commercial teams to shape compelling, tailored presentations
• Present strategic concepts in client meetings, clearly articulating the thinking behind creative choices

Post-Campaign Analysis & Learnings

• Collaborate with the data and project teams to review campaign performance, evaluating the effectiveness of creative strategy against KPIs
• Identify key learnings, creative wins, and areas for improvement to inform future campaigns.
• Work with the data analyst to create visually engaging and insight-rich post-campaign reports for internal review and client delivery

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Full time contract
• Based in UAE (Abu Dhabi or Dubai) with frequent travel to Abu Dhabi (min 2 times a week)

TO APPLY

If you meet the qualifications and are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your resume to

• Seniority levelMid-Senior level

• Employment typeFull-time

• Job functionMarketing
• IndustriesAdvertising Services

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Culture Sector Performance Lead

• Develop and implement performance strategies to inform strategic decisions.
• Guide the development of a research agenda focused on culture sector priorities.
• Lead research analytics on culture sector trends and identify new trends.
• Manage research initiatives utilizing advanced analytical frameworks.
• Engage subject matter experts to support cultural sector planning.
• Utilize digital tools for data visualization and predictive modeling.
• Identify research tools to enhance data quality and integrity.
• Review and endorse research information from benchmarking reports.
• Continuously improve data collection processes leveraging new technologies.
• Maintain a deep understanding of cultural ecosystems.
• Manage stakeholder relationships while ensuring effective understanding of their needs.
• Foster strategic partnerships with stakeholders.
• Plan, prioritize, and manage research projects on time.
• Oversee report preparation on culture sector performance.
• Prepare and present research findings to top management.
• Ensure cascading of functional strategy into business plans.
• Manage assigned objectives through leadership and staff development.
• Act as a role model driving adherence to organizational values.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Finance/Economics/Public Policy/Technology/AI or equivalent.
• 5-7 years of experience in business process, quality, and operational excellence roles.
• At least 3 years of managerial experience.
• Proficient in numerical analysis and skilled in handling large data sets.

Benefits and Others

As a key member of our team, you will have opportunities for growth and development. We offer a dynamic work environment with collaborative colleagues.

Job Title: Senior Finance Manager

This is a key leadership role that oversees all financial and business control operations. It involves working closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to ensure effective management of budgeting, planning, and reporting processes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance and MIS reporting, with experience in managing teams and driving process improvements. They will be responsible for:

• Compliance with statutory requirements and regulatory standards;
• Enhancing operational efficiency through automation and reducing paperwork;
• Maintaining accurate records of SAP operations and collaborating with the IT team;
• Preparing detailed budgets and reports on sales growth, profitability, and expenses;
• Providing analytical reports and variance analysis for management reviews and board meetings;
• Supporting monthly and quarterly close activities with the Accounting and Operations Department;
• Assisting in preparing forecasts and strategic business plans;
• Managing external and internal audits, ensuring timely completion;
• Reviewing capital expenditure requests, calculating payback and ROI, and ensuring timely capitalization of assets;
• Ensuring full budgetary control for Opex and Capex;
• Supervising and guiding the Finance team, including AP, Treasury, Payroll, Fixed Assets, GL/MIS;

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Commerce, CA, CPA, or equivalent qualification;
• 10-12 years of experience in Accounts and Finance, with at least 5 years of MIS and reporting experience in a manufacturing organization;
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint;
• Functional expert knowledge of ERP, preferably SAP;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Exposure to M&A activities an asset;

The successful candidate will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Financial Planning Leader

A leading financial planning position in a prominent organization based in Dubai, UAE.

• Oversee the creation and consolidation of annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial plans to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations to senior management.
• Collaborate with business units to develop financial plans that support organizational goals and objectives.
• Develop and refine financial models to support business cases, investment decisions, and scenario planning.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and create insightful dashboards and reports for leadership.
• Implement financial planning tools and systems to enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, financial standards, and regulatory requirements.

A successful candidate is a commercially savvy finance professional with a strong track record in financial planning and analysis, ideally within diversified or multinational organizations, capable of translating data into actionable strategy.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information effectively.

This position plays a pivotal part in the organization, ensuring seamless planning and execution of innovation events and optimizing facility utilization.

1. Coordinate the planning and execution of innovation events, including calendar management and liaison with external partners.
2. Maintain accurate records of contracts and ensure timely renewals to maximize efficiency.
3. Optimize facility utilization by streamlining processes as needed.
4. Handle separation/offboarding tasks and general administrative duties.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Commerce.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in administration, asset management, or logistics, preferably in an IT industry.
• Excellent administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently under pressure.

Investment Analysis and Strategy Manager

The purpose of this role is to oversee investment analysis for various projects. This includes managing, maintaining, and refining project feasibilities, assumptions and actual cashflows. The role also involves performing complex simulations and financial modeling for various scenarios to calculate the financial impacts of executive decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage project feasibilities, assumptions, and actual cashflows.
• Perform complex simulations and financial modeling for various scenarios.
• Provide proactive support and recommendations for strategic and investment decisions.
• Assist in the development of pre-launch pricing activities and models.
• Prepare periodic investment overview and performance reports.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in independently performing investment analysis/financial research/economic forecast of business conditions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• A holder of CPA, CFA, ACCA or MBA is preferred.

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and friendly work environment.
• Opportunities to work with diverse and talented colleagues.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.

As a key member of our organization, the Business Planning and Portfolio Lead will play a crucial role in driving AI initiatives forward.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in portfolio and project management, working knowledge of AI and machine learning concepts, analytical, financial modeling, and budget forecasting skills, proven stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership, familiarity with contract/vendor governance, and PM certifications (PMP, PgMP) preferred.

• Develop and maintain the AI strategic plan and implementation roadmap to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Prioritize AI initiatives based on feasibility, impact, and alignment with RTA goals.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses, feasibility studies, and track portfolio KPIs to inform business decisions.
• Lead financial planning, including budgeting and forecasting for AI programs to ensure efficient resource allocation.
• Oversee vendor selection and contract performance for AI projects to guarantee successful outcomes.
• Support internal capability building, training, and resource planning to enhance team productivity.
• Coordinate cross-sector AI alignment, ensuring governance compliance to mitigate risks.
• Analyze and report on the operational impact and business value of AI programs to inform future strategies.

The Business Planning and Portfolio Lead will work closely with the AI Development & Data teams to monitor progress and innovation, providing strategic guidance to drive AI initiatives forward.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional to join our team and contribute to the development of cutting-edge AI solutions.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, or a relevant field.

A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in AI planning, portfolio management, or strategic roles, experience in AI budgeting, governance frameworks, and cross-sector coordination, demonstrated ability to track performance and drive strategic alignment in a public-sector or enterprise setting.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Information Technology and Engineering

• Government Administration