Head of Sector Workforce Development

Overview

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) seeks an experienced Head of Sector Workforce Development for a 12-month freelance contract. This role is pivotal to a key initiative focused on enhancing Abu Dhabi's sustainable growth within the culture, tourism, and creative industries sectors by developing a comprehensive talent development pathway.

Responsibilities

• Analyze current and future talent demands across the sector, including roles, volume, and skill requirements.
• Design a full talent development pathway encompassing school-level programs, vocational training, higher education, employment, and mid-career shifts.
• Identify and define clear entry, progression, and exit points throughout the talent pipeline.
• Set priorities for intervention by determining where new program development, upgrading existing programs, or introducing international curricula are most impactful.
• Continuously explore domestic and regional education landscapes to identify partnership and program opportunities, including degrees, dual certifications, scholarships, incubators, and industry academies.
• Create robust business cases for new programs outlining target cohorts, delivery partners, funding models, and placement goals.
• Establish and maintain senior-level relationships with educational institutions including schools, universities, vocational centers, private academies, and international education brands.
• Expand partnership networks regionally and internationally to encourage talent mobility into the UAE's ecosystem.
• Engage with industry players to secure internships, apprenticeships, curriculum contributions, hiring pipelines, tools, mentors, and residencies.
• Lead negotiation and structuring of partnership contracts, coordinating with legal and procurement.
• Manage contract execution including milestones, partner performance, issue resolution, renegotiations, and partnership renewals or exits.
• Implement governance frameworks for partnerships, involving steering meetings, reporting, and quality controls.
• Define and manage KPIs related to the talent pillar and maintain data tracking from enrollment through employment.
• Provide progress reports to sector leadership and government stakeholders.
• Oversee and manage the budget allocated to the talent development pillar.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in end-to-end partnership management, including opportunity identification, partner sourcing, contract negotiation, and delivery oversight with measurable outcomes.
• Strong skills in commercial and contract management.
• Accountability for handling budgets, partnership agreements, and KPI performance.
• Fluency in English is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within the GCC or MENA education and talent development sectors, with established contacts in regional institutions.
• Arabic language proficiency is a plus.

Additional Information

This is a 12-month freelance contract position based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their CVs for consideration.