Venture Development Manager

Role overview

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is seeking a Venture Development Manager to contribute to a strategic initiative centered on Abu Dhabi’s gaming ecosystem. This is a 12-month freelance contract based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The role will support the creation and growth of early-stage ventures and founder communities, with a particular focus on building incubation and acceleration pathways and enabling Emirati entrepreneurs to develop original gaming intellectual property.

DCT Abu Dhabi is the government body leading the long-term growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and helping position the emirate as a major destination for culture, creativity, and tourism.

Incubator design and implementation

• Create and roll out an incubation program for early-stage founders, guiding them from idea development through prototype creation and product-market fit.
• Review possible delivery models, including use of existing platforms, standalone incubators, and international partnerships, and prepare the relevant business cases.
• Build the program structure, covering founder support, product development tools, grant support, and pathways for launch and follow-on support.
• Oversee execution, coordinate with partners, and handle reporting requirements.
• Help scale the team and operational platform.

Acceleration track setup

• Design and launch an acceleration program for gaming studios moving from prototype stage to commercial growth, market entry, and further funding.
• Define the program framework, including cohort design, entry criteria, non-cash support, mentorship, and investment-related mechanisms.
• Assess whether the program should be built internally or delivered through partners, then shape the operating model accordingly.
• Identify, evaluate, and appoint delivery partners and operators, including mandates, commercial structure, and performance measures.
• Manage founder outreach, selection, onboarding, and cohort performance.

Emirati development program

• Set up a dedicated pathway for Emirati-led ventures to create, launch, and expand original gaming IP.
• Design the support model, including grants, mentoring, milestone-based assistance, and access to publishers, investors, and international showcases.
• Oversee applicant sourcing, selection, and milestone governance, tying funding to defined progress checkpoints.
• Develop founder pipelines through universities, creator communities, and ecosystem partners.
• Represent the program with stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

• 6 to 8 years of experience in a fast-moving ecosystem, with evidence of growth and internal advancement.
• Current or recent manager-level experience in MBB or an equivalent top-tier strategy consultancy.
• Practical, hands-on exposure to early-stage ventures through incubation, acceleration, venture building, or corporate venture capital.
• Track record of creating and delivering founder-support or venture-development programs.

Core capabilities

• Ability to break down complex, unclear briefs into practical plans, business cases, and operating models.
• Experience taking new programs from concept to launch and execution.
• Confidence in leading workstreams independently and pushing delivery forward.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and how they can support strategy, investment assessment, and project management.
• Comfort engaging with founders, delivery partners, and senior leaders in a credible way.
• Strong presentation and project management skills.

Contract details

This position is offered on a 12-month contract and is based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Application note

Interested candidates may submit their application or share their CV for consideration.