Associate, Strategic Projects

Job description

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<p><strong>About the Institute of Foundation Models</strong></p>
<p>We are a dedicated research lab for building, understanding, using, and risk-managing foundation models. Our mandate is to advance research, nurture the next generation of AI builders, and drive transformative contributions to a knowledge-driven economy.</p>
<p>As part of our team, you'll work at the intersection of frontier AI research and real-world impact, alongside world-class researchers, engineers, and business leaders. You will help shape how groundbreaking AI models are positioned, partnered, and deployed across industries, contributing to establishing MBZUAI as a global hub for foundation model development and adoption.</p>
<p><strong>The Role</strong></p>
<p>As an Associate on the Strategic Projects team, you will help turn IFM's frontier AI models into real-world impact. You will work on the institute's highest-priority initiatives, including strategy, commercial and go-to-market, partnerships, and operational programs. You will move fluidly between analysis, execution, and stakeholder engagement. The role suits a versatile, hands-on profile who blends strategy, business, technology, and operations skills, and who takes full ownership from problem definition to delivery.</p>
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Key Responsibilities
• Drive end-to-end execution of strategic initiatives, from scoping and planning through delivery, tracking milestones, and unblocking issues across teams.

• Conduct in-depth analysis to inform leadership decisions, including market and competitive landscapes, business cases, financial models, and partner or deal evaluations.

• Support go-to-market and commercial efforts for IFM's foundation models, including positioning, pricing inputs, launch planning, and adoption strategies.

• Help identify, structure, and manage strategic partnerships with industry, government, and academic stakeholders.

• Produce crisp, executive-ready documents and presentations, such as strategy papers, board and leadership briefings, and partner materials.

• Collaborate closely with research, engineering, product, legal, and finance teams to translate technical capabilities into clear value propositions and actionable plans.

• Design and improve internal processes, operating models, and governance for strategic programs.

• Stay on top of developments in the AI ecosystem, including models, players, policy, and infrastructure, and turn them into insights for IFM's strategy.

• Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager commensurate with these functional objectives.

Academic Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Law, or a related field required.

• Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MSc) or equivalent experience preferred.

Professional Experience - Required
• 3–5 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, investment banking, strategic projects, or a similar role.

• Experience in the AI, technology, or TMT sector (exposure to AI models, cloud, or data infrastructure is a plus).

• Highly analytical, with a proven ability to dive deep into complex problems and come back with clear, well-founded answers.

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with a track record of producing sharp documents and presentations for senior audiences.

• Hands-on, execution-oriented mindset with strong ownership and a drive to get things done in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Ability to work across strategy, business, technology, and operations, and to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel/financial modelling (or equivalent tools).

• Fluent in English.

Professional Experience - Preferred
• Experience supporting commercial, go-to-market, or partnership initiatives from concept to execution.

• Familiarity with the UAE and wider GCC technology ecosystem.

• International experience is preferred.

• Proficiency in other languages is a plus.

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