Director – Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships

About the role

We are looking for a Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships to design and execute partnership strategies for a leading UAE‑based economy news channel. The role will drive high‑level collaborations, manage sponsorships and ensure commercial activities are clearly separated from editorial content.

Key responsibilities

• Build and develop high‑level strategic networks with holding companies and regional/international organisations to establish long‑term partnerships.
• Engage C‑Level executives to present creative publishing solutions and media packages.
• Represent the organisation at economic and media forums and manage tactical media partnerships in targeted markets.
• Draft and execute strategic MoUs and sponsorship contracts with partners.
• Organise brand‑promoting events and develop marketing‑ready proposals with multimedia and social media teams.
• Oversee B2B sponsorship commitments and ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled.
• Manage commercial and advertising request intake within structured partnership frameworks.
• Ensure paid content is transparently labelled and maintain separation from independent editorial content.

Required profile

• Demonstrated experience developing strategic partnerships and PR networks with business, financial, governmental and private‑sector entities.
• Strong experience engaging C‑Level executives and senior decision‑makers.
• Proven ability to draft and manage MoUs, sponsorship agreements and partnership contracts.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communication, English, media studies or a related discipline.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross‑functional coordination skills.

Required skills

• Strategic partnership development
• Sponsorship and commercial proposal development
• Contract / MoU management
• Stakeholder and C‑Suite engagement
• Cross‑functional coordination