Head of Innovation & Special Projects

We are hiring: Head of Innovation & Special Projects

The Head of Innovation and Special Projects will be responsible for establishing and driving a new Innovation function within the organization, focusing on strategy development, implementation, and cross-functional collaboration. This role requires a dynamic leader who can provide strategic direction, influence stakeholders at all levels, and foster partnerships across the aviation ecosystem. The role holder will be hands-on, resourceful, and capable of operating effectively with limited initial resources while building the department’s credibility and value.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization’s innovation strategy, framework, and methodologies to identify, incubate, and develop new products and services, as well as improve existing processes.
• Provide strategic direction and subject matter expertise to guide initiatives and drive a cultural change towards innovation across the organization.
• Design a maturity roadmap to embed a culture of innovation, encouraging participation across divisions.
• Apply a data-driven approach to develop ideas into business cases with clear financial and non-financial benefits.
• Work cross-functionally with all levels of the organization to secure buy-in and alignment.
• Represent the organization with external stakeholders, building partnerships with incubators, innovation hubs, and aviation industry players.
• Implement the innovation lifecycle from idea generation to Proof of Concept, Pilot, Minimum Viable Product, and rollout.
• Oversee budgeting, performance monitoring, and governance processes to maximize ROI and ensure value creation.
• Support capability development and training, while building a network of internal champions to drive engagement.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in process and/or project management.
• Proven experience in setting up and leading an innovation function.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to develop and present business cases, including financial modelling (ROI, NPV, IRR).
• Experience across innovation lifecycles (idea, incubation, PoC, pilot, delivery).
• Knowledge of airports and the aviation ecosystem is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and project scheduling tools.

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

This is an opportunity to build and lead a high-impact function, driving transformation and innovation across the organization and the wider aviation industry.