Head of Strategy, UAE Expo Office

About UAE Expo Office

The UAE Expo Office established in 2022 was created to showcase the UAEs approach to bringing together people and innovation to address global challenges through participation in World Expos.

The ambition of the UAE Expo Office is to create unforgettable experiences designed to accelerate progress contribute to Expo goals and generate unique value for the UAE.

Job Summary

The Head of Strategy is responsible for shaping the overarching strategy of the UAE Expo Office and the strategic direction of the UAEs participation across international Expos.

This role ensures the Office operates with a clear long-term vision across a portfolio of Expos strengthening the UAEs global positioning while reinforcing institutional continuity and learning.

The role leads the development of participation strategies for each Expo ensuring that every Pavilion reflects a coherent national narrative aligned with UAE priorities and host country contexts while delivering measurable long-term impact.

Working closely with the Head of the UAE Expo Office and internal stakeholders the Head of Strategy translates national ambitions into actionable strategic frameworks guiding architecture guest experience programming communications partnerships and legacy planning.

Key Responsibilities

Office Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead the development and refinement of the UAE Expo Offices long-term strategy and vision

• Ensure each Expo participation contributes to accelerating progress and generating national value

• Position Expos as platforms for cultural diplomacy innovation exchange and global engagement

• Maintain strategic continuity and institutional learning across multiple Expo participations

Decision Frameworks & Participation Evaluation

• Develop evaluation matrices and structured frameworks for assessing Expo participation opportunities

• Define criteria for evaluating strategic relevance impact potential and national value

• Provide strategic recommendations to support leadership decision-making

Participation Strategy Development

• Lead the strategic positioning for each Expo from early planning through legacy

• Translate Expo themes into a distinctive UAE narrative and strategic response

• Develop positioning frameworks purpose statements and narrative architecture

• Guide research insights and contextual analysis to inform strategy

Strategic Alignment Across Streams

• Ensure strategy is consistently implemented across architecture guest experience programming communications brand and operations

• Maintain alignment throughout the full lifecycle of Expo participation

Legacy & Impact

• Define long-term impact beyond the event period

• Establish frameworks to measure strategic diplomatic and reputational outcomes

• Ensure programming storytelling partnerships and design contribute to lasting national value

Leadership Advisory & Governance

• Prepare strategic memos briefings and decision papers for leadership

• Support governance frameworks and strategy milestones

• Facilitate strategic workshops and leadership sessions

Education and Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Strategy Public Policy International Studies or a related fields

• 710 years of experience in strategy public policy international affairs or related fields

• Experience working in government quasi-government or complex multi-stakeholder environments

• Demonstrated experience shaping organizational or portfolio-level strategy

• Fluency in English and Arabic.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and systems-level structuring ability

• Ability to translate long-term ambitions into clear strategic frameworks

• Experience developing decision frameworks evaluation matrices and scenario planning models

• Excellent written communication skills including leadership papers and strategic briefs

• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear positioning and strategic narratives