Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, STEM, business, technology management, or information systems is required. An MBA or postgraduate qualification in innovation, strategy, or digital transformation is preferred. Candidates need 12 years of experience in innovation management, digital transformation, or partnerships within complex enterprise environments, with experience in retail, energy, or mobility industries being highly desirable. Proven experience in leading digital transformation programs and high-performing, multidisciplinary teams is essential.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Finance, Business Analysis & Consulting
Company Industry
Oil & Gas / Energy
Job purpose
The manager, innovation & partnerships is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and delivering innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships that enhance retail fuel, convenience, and mobility experiences. The role drives the execution of digital, AI, and technology-enabled solutions that create measurable customer value and commercial impact. It serves as a bridge between business, technology, and external partners to accelerate innovation adoption while ensuring scalability, governance, and return on investment.
Key accountabilities
Innovation strategy & program delivery
Support the development and execution of the innovation roadmap aligned with customer experience, retail growth, and digital transformation priorities.
Identify, assess, and prioritize emerging technologies including AI, automation, robotics, and digital platforms relevant to retail and mobility.
Translate innovation opportunities into structured initiatives with clear objectives, milestones, and success measures.
Lead pilot programs and proofs of concept, ensuring timely execution and evidence-based evaluation of outcomes.
Support scaling of successful innovations into operationally viable and commercially sustainable solutions.
AI & digital enablement
Drive the deployment of AI-enabled use cases that enhance customer engagement, personalization, and operational efficiency.
Work closely with IT and data teams to ensure AI solutions are secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise architecture.
Support the establishment of AI governance frameworks covering prioritization, risk, ethics, and performance tracking.
Monitor AI performance metrics to ensure measurable business and customer impact.
Promote AI literacy and adoption across business functions through structured engagement and enablement.
Strategic partnerships management
Identify, evaluate, and onboard strategic technology, digital, and innovation partners aligned with business needs.
Manage end-to-end partnership lifecycle including due diligence, commercial alignment, onboarding, and performance review.
Act as the primary business interface with partners, vendors, and innovation ecosystems.
Ensure partnership initiatives are fully aligned with internal stakeholders and operational capabilities.
Track partnership performance and value realization against defined commercial and strategic objectives.
Retail media & data monetization enablement
Support the development and execution of retail media and data monetization initiatives across physical and digital assets.
Collaborate with marketing and commercial teams to define monetization use cases and partner engagement models.
Assist in managing relationships with advertising platforms, media partners, and data vendors.
Monitor campaign and platform performance to optimize revenue generation and customer relevance.
Ensure data monetization initiatives comply with data governance, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
Business case development & value realization
Develop detailed business cases for innovation and partnership initiatives, including cost, benefits, and risk assessments.
Secure cross-functional input and alignment to ensure feasibility and executive buy-in.
Track financial and non-financial benefits realization post implementation.
Provide structured reporting on innovation performance, ROI, and strategic impact.
Continuously refine initiatives based on performance insights and evolving business priorities.
Team collaboration & governance
Contribute to the development of innovation standards, processes, and governance frameworks.
Support knowledge sharing and best practice adoption across innovation initiatives.
Coach and guide junior team members and project contributors as required.
Ensure compliance with corporate policies, procurement standards, and risk management requirements.
Represent the innovation function in cross-functional forums, reviews, and steering committees.
Communications & working relationships
Internal
Marketing group
Digital division
Retail operations
Finance division
External
Technology and AI solution providers
Innovation labs, start-ups, and accelerators
Strategic digital and media partners
Consultants and industry experts
Advertising and retail media platforms
Qualifications, experience, knowledge & skills
Minimum qualification
Bachelor’s degree in engineering / STEM, business, technology management, information systems, or a related field.
MBA or postgraduate qualification in innovation, strategy, or digital transformation is preferred.
Minimum experience & knowledge & skills
12 years of experience in innovation management, digital transformation, partnerships, or related roles.
Proven experience delivering innovation initiatives within complex, enterprise environments.
Experience in retail, energy, mobility, or consumer-facing industries is highly desirable.
Extensive experience leading complex digital transformation programs.
Proven experience leading, developing, and managing high performing, multidisciplinary teams.
About the Company
We are one of the world's leading energy producers, and a primary catalyst for Abu Dhabi’s growth and diversification.
We operate across the entire hydrocarbon value chain, through a network of fully-integrated businesses, with interests that range from exploration, production, storage, refining and distribution, to the development of a wide-range of petrochemical products.
Since 1971, we have created thousands of jobs, driven the growth of a diverse knowledge-based economy, and played a key role in Abu Dhabi’s global emergence.
Today, we continue to look for new and innovative ways to maximize the value of our resources, pioneering those approaches and technologies that will ensure we are able to meet the demands of an ever-changing energy market, and continue to have a positive impact on the Abu Dhabi economy for generations to come.
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