Director of Strategy (UAEN)

A highly confidential Entity in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced & high-performing Director of Planning & Strategy (UAEN) to lead its strategic planning, institutional performance, and priority-setting activities.

The Director will work closely with senior leadership to translate the entity’s vision and strategic priorities into clear plans, measurable objectives, and executable initiatives. Current experience reporting into Senior Leadership, either as an experienced Director or an Executive Director, would be encouraged to apply for a confidential discussion on the role and grade.

Role Overview:

• Lead the entity's long-term strategy, annual plans, and institutional priorities from development through implementation.
• Translate leadership direction into concrete objectives, initiatives, delivery plans, and performance measures.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on strategic priorities, emerging opportunities, and critical decisions.
• Own an integrated planning cycle that aligns strategy, operations, finance, and resources—and ensure departmental plans reinforce it.
• Drive strategic reviews, diagnostics, and structured problem-solving to resolve complex organizational challenges.
• Produce business cases, decision papers, and executive briefings that shape leadership decisions.
• Define, track, and report KPIs, milestones, and strategic outcomes—surfacing risks and dependencies and driving timely corrective action.
• Orchestrate cross-functional initiatives across departments and external stakeholders.
• Prioritize projects and resources by strategic impact, feasibility, and leadership direction.
• Build planning, performance-management, and problem-solving capability across the organization.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing strategy and planning team.

Requirements

• UAEN with a Khulasat Al Qaid (Mandatory requirement)
• Bachelor’s degree in strategy, business administration, economics, public policy, finance, engineering, or a related discipline.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification, such as an MBA or master’s degree, is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 - 12+ years of relevant professional experience, including significant experience in strategy, planning, transformation, performance management, or organizational development.
• Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, government-related entities, major corporations, or professional-services firms.
• Management consulting experience is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and translating leadership priorities into practical and measurable plans.
• Strong track record of leading complex strategic initiatives and working across multiple functions and stakeholder groups.
• Experience managing and developing professional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Passionate about contributing to the U.A.E's institutional development and long-term priorities