Events Partnerships Management Senior Specialist JOB

Job Title

Event Partnerships Management Senior Specialist

Department

Abu Dhabi Events Bureau

Section

Event Partnerships Management

Unit

Event Partnerships Management

Direct Manager

Event Partnerships Management Unit Head

Role Purpose

Drive the development and execution of strategic event partnerships that enhance Abu Dhabi's global positioning across mega-events, sports, nightlife, and entertainment. The role ensures all event-related investments are commercially optimized, strategically aligned, and efficiently executed.

Key Responsibilities Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Execute high-impact event partnerships and investments that advance Abu Dhabi's tourism and entertainment objectives.
• Initiate and negotiate innovative event-based investment models, including joint ventures and public-private partnerships.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic impact assessments, and business cases to support investment decisions.
• Drive commercial due diligence & ensure deals are financially viable and strategically aligned with DCT's overall direction.
• Identify market gaps and global event opportunities, contributing to the development of new festival and nightlife strategies.

Operational Excellence & Project Management

• Lead on end-to-end contracting and procurement processes, ensuring legal, financial, and procedural compliance.
• Streamline internal workflows to expedite partnership discussions, approvals, and contracting cycles.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery of KPIs, budget submissions, RFPs, and supporting documents.
• Address operational bottlenecks proactively by implementing structured processes and stakeholder coordination mechanisms.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for sports, entertainment, and event partners, maintaining strong relationships and driving collaborative outcomes.
• Engage and align with internal departments, regulatory entities, and external partners to ensure seamless execution and governance.
• Secure and nurture strategic partnerships that drive long-term value for Abu Dhabi's events ecosystem.
• Support in the execution of key events, managing logistics, scheduling, and on-site coordination.
• Liaise with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to ensure quality and timely service delivery.

Shared Activities

• Carry out any other duties and responsibilities related to the role at the request of the direct manager.
• Ensure effective implementation of functional policies, procedures and controls covering all areas of assigned section activity so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service.
• Follow all relevant departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.
• Demonstrate compliance to organization's values and ethics at all times to support the establishment of a value drive culture within the organization
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree Event Management, Strategy, Business Development or a related field. (Masters preferred)
• 3-5 years of experience in event partnerships, business development, or commercial project management - ideally within tourism, entertainment, or large-scale events sectors.
• Proven track record in negotiating and managing high value event or sponsorship partnerships.
• Experience developing and executing feasibility studies, business cases, and investment proposals.
• Strong understanding of commercial structuring, financial modelling, and public-private partnership frameworks.
• Background in government, destination marketing, or tourism entities is a plus.
• Expertise in end-to-end event planning, contracting, and procurement workflows.

Skills

• Solid financial and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate ROI and economic impact.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities, with experience managing multi party agreements.
• Excellent project management skills, able to handle multiple concurrent initiati