M & A Integration Manager (Dubai, UAE)

Role Purpose and Strategic Mandate

Functional Responsibilities

• The M&A Integration Manager in Dubai is responsible for driving the hands-on integration of systems, venues, and processes across the portfolio.
• **Integration Management Office Leadership:**
• Mobilize cross-functional teams, define integration milestones, manage local transition risks, and track synergies for regional events.
• **Central Governance Integration:**
• Report progress, risks, and implementation barriers directly to the group-level M&A Technology Steering Board to ensure local joint venture activities align with global shared services (GBS).
• **Programmatic Oversight Boundary:**
• Champion and govern the adoption of M&A technology playbooks and best practices; note that this role focuses on operational planning and does not directly manage or configure the technical builds.
• **System Integration:**
• Map and migrate local financial systems, billing engines, and exhibitor databases into the shared SAP and Oracle architectures.
• **Landing Architecture Mapping:**
• Coordinate with Enterprise Architects and platform owners to define the transition and landing architectures required to migrate acquired business systems and legacy DWTC platforms onto the standardized technology stack.
• **Venue System Alignment:**
• Coordinate with venue operations to align registration, ticketing, and event logistics systems at the flagship regional exhibition and venue centers.
• **Regional HR Compliance:**
• Partner with the people team to transition employees, manage visa processes, and align payroll with UAE Labor Law.
• **Operational Continuity:**
• Partner with event directors to ensure core systems remain fully operational during major exhibition cycles.
• **Tax & Treasury Control:**
• Partner with local finance teams to manage UAE VAT, corporate tax, and cross-border payment structures.

Requirements and Qualifications

• This position requires an integration specialist with experience managing corporate transformations within the Middle East.
• **Professional Experience:**
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in M&A integration, corporate restructuring, or operational PMO, preferably in the Middle East.
• **UAE Government & Local Emirati Experience:**
• Strong preference for UAE National (Emirati) candidates, or professionals with extensive, proven experience working with or within UAE Government departments and public-sector entities.
• **ERP & Local Systems:**
• Hands-on experience with SAP and Oracle financial modules, with a track record of standardizing billing and procurement workflows.
• **Structured Mobilization Planning:**
• Demonstrated ability to create and manage detailed mobilisation plans, map complex target solutions, and secure alignment on options, trade-offs, and financial run-costs with senior leadership.
• **Regional HR Knowledge:**
• Good understanding of UAE Labor Law, free-zone employment rules, and payroll processing in the GCC region.
• **Events Sector Insight:**

Experience

• working within the live events, hospitality, or exhibitions sector in the Middle East.
• **Bilingual Capability:**
• Professional fluency in English is required; professional proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• **Soft Skills:**
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, resilience, and the ability to manage stakeholder interests in a joint venture.