Head Of Programme And Partnerships

This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping, delivering and advancing Expo City Dubai’s global programming and partnership agenda. The position leads the Programme and Partnerships team and the organisation’s strategic thought leadership partnerships with cities, international organisations and global institutions. It ensures Expo City Dubai contributes meaningfully to the UAE’s global mandate, strengthening the nation’s reputation as an active partner to the international community, a steward of shared values and a respected contributor on the world stage.

In addition to governing programming for major events and international engagements, the role plays a central role in designing, developing and growing Expo Dubai Group’s Programme & Events Advisory service, translating EDG’s proven convening and programme design expertise – demonstrated across Expo 2020 Dubai, COP28 and 2025APCS – into a structured advisory offering. This includes shaping advisory frameworks; building repeatable models for agenda design, content curation and event architecture; and working with internal teams to ensure advisory engagements generate measurable value for clients and sustainable revenue opportunities for Expo Dubai Group.

Role Description

The main responsibilities of the role include:

Global programme strategy

• Develop and lead a multi-year programming strategy that positions Expo City Dubai as a global convener and centre of excellence in city diplomacy, urban innovation and sustainable development
• Define thematic priorities and content frameworks for all major engagements, ensuring alignment with the UAE’s international strategy and Expo City Dubai’s institutional goals
• Ensure all programming supports long-term reputational, diplomatic and economic objectives

International thought leadership partnerships

• Lead relationships and structured collaborations with global cities, international organisations, think tanks, academic institutions and foundations
• Oversee development of joint research, advisory outputs, policy briefs, and city-to-city engagement initiatives
• Build Expo City Dubai’s credibility as a source of high-quality, globally relevant insights and as a trusted partner to government leaders and institutions

Strategic collaboration with commercial partnerships

• Work in close coordination with the Senior Manager Partnerships (who reports directly to the VP) to ensure that programming, thought leadership outputs and thematic priorities support partnership value and institutional positioning
• Provide editorial and strategic guidance to ensure commercial partnership propositions, sponsorship narratives and institutional collaborations are grounded in programme content and global relevance
• Ensure shared visibility of key stakeholder relationships to create coherent, high-level engagement touchpoints

Advisory service development

• Develop and refine the strategic positioning of Expo Dubai Group’s Programme & Events Advisory offering, drawing on the organisation’s world-class experience across Expo 2020 Dubai, COP28, 2026APCS and other global convenings
• Translate EDG’s unique programming capabilities into codified advisory products that clients can procure, including agenda development, format design, speaker mapping, stakeholder management, marketing and communications support and post-event knowledge outputs
• Define the commercial architecture and market positioning for advisory engagements, and identify opportunities to support governments, multilaterals, corporates and city partners seeking programme design, event strategy, positioning or institutional convening support
• Ensure all advisory service design aligns with Expo City Dubai’s broader goals of elevating the UAE’s international influence and strengthening global partnerships

Programme design and delivery

• Lead development of agendas, formats, speaker identification and editorial content for major events, summits, city-leader forums, policy convenings and global engagement platforms
• Ensure programming incorporates global trends, rigorous analysis, diverse perspectives and high-level relevance
• Maintain editorial and quality ownership across all programme outputs
• Ensure all programmes reflect EDG’s programming ethos, including practical optimism, solutions orientation, outcomes focus and inclusive representation

Integrated event execution

• Work with project management and event delivery teams to ensure seamless operational delivery of programme elements
• Oversee development of briefing notes, session scripts, speaker documentation, and run-of-show materials
• Ensure programme delivery is executed to world-class standards befitting Expo City Dubai’s global positioning

Programme & Events Advisory delivery

• Lead advisory engagements in partnership with relevant internal teams, providing clients with structured support across agenda development, session design, stakeholder mapping, speaker sourcing and briefing, programme architecture and impact planning
• Oversee the creation of advisory deliverables including programme blueprints, thematic frameworks, run-of-show documents, content pillars, briefing materials and post-event reports or communiqués
• Ensure advisory engagements follow EDG’s turnkey methodology offering a coherent blend of programming expertise, operational readiness and strategic communications support as appropriate to client needs
• Develop quality standards and templates to ensure advisory output is consistently world-class, client-ready and commercially viable
• Work with internal leadership to support revenue forecasting, pipeline development and resource planning for advisory engagements

High-level stakeholder engagement

• Serve as a senior liaison for engagement with mayors, ministers, CEOs, diplomats, global institutions and international partners
• Support and lead strategic meetings, missions and bilateral engagements, ensuring alignment with programming and global objectives
• Strengthen long-term relationships with key external stakeholders

Oversight of global thought leadership and advisory partnerships

• Line-manage the colleague responsible for global thought leadership partnerships, guiding development of research, insight products and advisory collaborations that strengthen EDG’s credibility and market positioning
• Ensure integration between advisory outputs, event programming and long-term institutional partnerships

Research, insights & impact measurement

• Commission thematic research that supports programme development, stakeholder engagement and thought leadership
• Develop impact metrics for programmes, international relationships and advisory engagements
• Lead post-event and annual impact reporting

Team leadership

• Lead and develop the Programme and Partnerships team, fostering excellence, collaboration, analytical rigour and delivery capability
• Implement structures, processes and working rhythms that ensure high performance and readiness for major convenings
• Encourage innovation, intellectual curiosity and pride in delivery

Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills required

Essential:

10 years of experience in programme development, event management, or a related field as well as:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field (Masters degree preferred)
• Proven experience working with high-level government officials, city leaders, and other stakeholders
• Strong understanding of urban development issues and trends in the Asia Pacific and MEASA regions
• Experience developing or delivering advisory services, consultancy projects, content-led programmes or large-scale convening strategies for governments, corporates or international institutions
• Experience working with government, multilateral, corporate or philanthropic clients
• Familiarity with programme advisory workflows including discovery, scoping, agenda design, stakeholder engagement and impact reporting
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute complex programmes and events
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Diplomatic and discreet

Desirable:

• Work experience with diplomatic and / city leader delegations
• Working knowledge or experience of exhibitions planning and delivery
• Working language skills