Manager, Innovation & Partnerships

Role Overview

Manager, Innovation & Partnerships at ADNOC. The role identifies, evaluates, and delivers innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships that enhance retail fuel, convenience, and mobility experiences.

Role Purpose

The Manager, Innovation & Partnerships drives the execution of digital, AI, and technology-enabled solutions that create measurable customer value and commercial impact. The role serves as a bridge between business, technology, and external partners to accelerate innovation adoption while ensuring scalability, governance, and return on investment.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy & Program Delivery

• Support the development and execution of the innovation roadmap aligned with customer experience, retail growth, and digital transformation priorities.
• Identify, assess, and prioritize emerging technologies including AI, automation, robotics, and digital platforms relevant to retail and mobility.
• Translate innovation opportunities into structured initiatives with clear objectives, milestones, and success measures.
• Lead pilot programs and proofs of concept, ensuring timely execution and evidence-based evaluation of outcomes.
• Support scaling of successful innovations into operationally viable and commercially sustainable solutions.

AI & Digital Enablement

• Drive the deployment of AI-enabled use cases that enhance customer engagement, personalization, and operational efficiency.
• Work closely with IT and data teams to ensure AI solutions are secure, compliant, and aligned with enterprise architecture.
• Support the establishment of AI governance frameworks covering prioritization, risk, ethics, and performance tracking.
• Monitor AI performance metrics to ensure measurable business and customer impact.
• Promote AI literacy and adoption across business functions through structured engagement and enablement.

Strategic Partnerships Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard strategic technology, digital, and innovation partners aligned with business needs.
• Manage end-to-end partnership lifecycle including due diligence, commercial alignment, onboarding, and performance review.
• Act as the primary business interface with partners, vendors, and innovation ecosystems.
• Ensure partnership initiatives are fully aligned with internal stakeholders and operational capabilities.
• Track partnership performance and value realization against defined commercial and strategic objectives.

Retail Media & Data Monetization Enablement

• Support the development and execution of retail media and data monetization initiatives across physical and digital assets.
• Collaborate with marketing and commercial teams to define monetization use cases and partner engagement models.
• Assist in managing relationships with advertising platforms, media partners, and data vendors.
• Monitor campaign and platform performance to optimize revenue generation and customer relevance.
• Ensure data monetization initiatives comply with data governance, privacy, and regulatory requirements.

Business Case Development & Value Realization

• Develop detailed business cases for innovation and partnership initiatives, including cost, benefits, and risk assessments.
• Secure cross-functional input and alignment to ensure feasibility and executive buy-in.
• Track financial and non-financial benefits realization post-implementation.
• Provide structured reporting on innovation performance, ROI, and strategic impact.
• Continuously refine initiatives based on performance insights and evolving business priorities.

Team Collaboration & Governance

• Contribute to the development of innovation standards, processes, and governance frameworks.
• Support knowledge sharing and best practice adoption across innovation initiatives.
• Coach and guide junior team members and project contributors as required.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, procurement standards, and risk management requirements.
• Represent the innovation function in cross-functional forums, reviews, and steering committees.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, STEM, Business, Technology Management, Information Systems, or a related field.
• MBA or postgraduate qualification in Innovation, Strategy, or Digital Transformation preferred.
• 12 years of experience in innovation management, digital transformation, partnerships, or related roles.
• Proven experience delivering innovation initiatives within complex, enterprise environments.
• Experience in retail, energy, mobility, or consumer-facing industries highly desirable.
• Extensive experience leading complex digital transformation programs.
• Proven experience leading, developing, and managing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.

Additional Information

Internal Working Relationships

• Marketing group
• Digital Division
• Retail Operations
• Finance Division

External Working Relationships

• Technology and AI Solution Providers
• Innovation Labs, Start-ups, and Accelerators
• Strategic Digital and Media Partners
• Consultants and Industry Experts
• Advertising and Retail Media Platforms