Senior Director

The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators is hiring a Senior Director of Strategy & Programmes in Abu Dhabi. This executive role involves leading a diverse team to shape the organization's strategy and expand its impact in the green economy. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, program management, and thought leadership. The position requires a master's degree and at least 15 years of relevant experience, preferably within the UAE.
Job Purpose
We are seeking a Senior Director, Strategy & Programmes for an executive leadership role, responsible for overseeing the organisation s strategy and programmes. As Senior Director of Strategy & Programmes, you will shape the future of UICCA during a pivotal growth period, leading a diverse team of 10+ researchers, policy experts, and programme managers across our four key advisory services and alliances:

Advisory Services:
a. Research
b. Policy
c. Capacity Building
d. Accelerators

e. Alliances

With a team of 20+ professionals in Abu Dhabi, UAE, UICCA is entering an ambitious growth phase to expand our impact across the region. You will lead the initiation, development, and implementation of high-quality and impactful work across our four key advisory offerings, as well as our alliances, producing outputs that are both regionally and globally impactful. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the growth of the green economy and related policy advancements at both local and regional levels.

What Success Looks like
Within your first year, you will:
a. Develop and begin implementing our three-year strategic plan
b. Expand our client base and secure new programme funding
c. Establish our capacity building and education offering

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
a. Lead the development and execution of organizational strategy and planning, working directly with the President & CEO and Advisory Council.
b. Identify and pursue new opportunities for programmatic growth and impact.
c. Drive innovation across programme methodologies and delivery.
d. Build and maintain relationships with high-level stakeholders, including existing clients in the private and public sector, as well as strategic partners and industry leaders.
e. Represent the organization at major global forums and in media.

Stakeholder Engagement & Fundraising

a. Serve as a trusted advisor to policymakers and key stakeholders.
b. Secure and manage relationships with existing clients, potential clients, alliance members and funders.
c. Develop new funding streams and business models.
d. Build strategic partnerships with peer organizations.
e. Lead high-level advisory projects for key clients.

Programme Management & Innovation

a. Lead a growing team of 10+ professionals, providing mentorship and development.
b. Ensure efficient budget management and resource allocation across programme portfolio.
c. Oversee design and delivery of our key offerings.
d. Ensure methodological rigor and maintain highest standards of delivery.

Thought Leadership & Editorial Excellence
a. Oversee the organisation s participation and hosting of convenings and events.
b. Oversee the production of publications, including flagship reports, policy briefs, and working papers.
c. Guide the development of new research streams and methodologies.
d. Lead our editorial strategy to maximize research impact and visibility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education & Work Experience:
a. Ph.D. preferred, master s degree in a relevant field required (e.g., business, public policy, economics, political science, social sciences).
b. Minimum of 15 years of experience in consulting or advisory leadership role, preferably within a UAE-based management consultancy or similar organization.

Programme Development & Management:

a. Demonstrated success securing funding.
b. Experience working with senior government officials and corporate executives.
c. Proven success managing complex organizations with multiple concurrent workstreams; with experience establishing and optimizing project management systems and workflows.

People Management & Leadership:

a. Exceptional track record of building and leading high-performing teams of 10+ professionals.
b. Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of excellence, speed, innovation, and continuous improvement.
c. Strong experience in talent development, mentoring, and succession planning.

Skills & Characteristics:

a. Exceptional communication, public speaking and presentation skills.
b. Fluency in English required, proficiency in Arabic highly desired.
c. Exemplary professional integrity and ethical standards.
d. Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
e. Resilience and adaptability in fast-paced environments.