Strategic Partnerships Lead, SME

About This Role

We have an urgent requirement for Strategic Partnerships Lead, SME for one of the client in Dubai, UAE Strong experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or ecosystem building.-- Must Mandatory: Prior experience in the UAE or GCC within the SME, entrepreneurship, or innovation ecosystem.-- Must Strong experience in co-funding mechanisms, impact reporting, and joint program delivery-- Must Role Purpose The Strategic Partnerships Lead is responsible for designing, securing, and managing high impact partnerships that advance Dubai SME’s strategic programs. The role focuses on co delivery, co-funding, and long-term collaboration with ecosystem players such as VCs,corporates, accelerators, incubators, and government entities. By working across all five strategic pillars, the Partnerships Lead ensures that alliances directly translate into measurable outcomes that accelerate SME growth, innovation, and investment.

Core Responsibilities 1. Ecosystem Partnerships & Alliances

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize partnership opportunities with VCs, corporates, accelerators, incubators, multilaterals, and regulators.
• Design partnership models aligned with Dubai SME’s strategic pillars and initiatives.
• Negotiate and execute MOUs, funding agreements, and partnership frameworks.
• Manage the full partnership lifecycle including onboarding, activation, performance, and renewal.
• Co-Funding & Resource Mobilization
• Secure financial contributions, in-kind services, and joint investment commitments from partners.
• Structure co-investment vehicles and joint delivery models with public and private stakeholders.
• Track and report partner ROI, co-funding metrics, and leverage ratios.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Alignment
• Represent Dubai SME in councils, committees, and forums at national and regional levels.
• Collaborate with regulators and government agencies to align partnerships with national economic policies.
• Contribute thought leadership through ecosystem papers, SME policy recommendations, and cross-sector strategy inputs.
• Program Enablement & Delivery Support
• Ensure partner commitments are aligned with program objectives, KPIs, and execution frameworks.
• Monitor compliance with agreed deliverables and resolve partnership issues when needed.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing through joint workshops, events, and publications.

Qualification Criteria Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Policy, or International Relations (required).
• Master’s degree or executive education in Innovation, Economics, or Public Administration (preferred).
• Professional certifications in partnership development, negotiation, or ecosystem strategy (preferred).

Experience

• 8–12 years in strategic partnerships, business development, or ecosystem building.
• Mandatory: Prior experience in the UAE or GCC within the SME, entrepreneurship, or innovation ecosystem.
• Demonstrated success in structuring and managing partnerships within the startup/SME space.
• Proven track record of negotiating and executing MOUs, co-funding agreements, or joint ventures.
• Familiarity with public-private partnership models in the GCC or comparable markets.

Technical Skills

• Strategic negotiation, partnership structuring, and ecosystem mapping.
• Knowledge of co-funding mechanisms, impact reporting, and joint program delivery.
• Ability to design and implement multi-stakeholder collaboration frameworks tied to economic KPIs.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong stakeholder influence and cross-sector engagement capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with disciplined execution skills.
• Excellent communication, deal execution, and relationship management abilities. Skills: strategic partnerships,ecosystem,partnerships