Ecosystem Investments Manager

We are currently looking for an Ecosystem Investments Manager to support a key initiative within the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) on a 12-month freelance contract.

DCT Abu Dhabi is the government entity responsible for driving the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, playing a central role in positioning the emirate as a global hub for culture, creativity, and tourism.

This role sits within a high-impact program focused on accelerating the growth of Abu Dhabi’s gaming ecosystem through strategic investments and acquisitions. The successful candidate will help identify and evaluate international gaming companies, structure co-investments with sovereign wealth funds and private equity investors and support the localization and value creation of acquired businesses to establish a strong presence in Abu Dhabi.

• Identify and screen established international gaming companies as potential strategic investments or acquisition targets aligned with the corporate strategy and objectives
• Build and maintain a pipeline of opportunities across different models, including anchor companies, mid-sized studios, and specialist portfolios
• Assess strategic fit, relocation potential, and value creation opportunities
• Conduct commercial, financial, IP, and talent-retention due diligence on shortlisted targets

• Support the structuring of potential deal structures (joint investments) alone or with sovereign wealth funds and private equity investors to optimize risk and capital deployment
• Build and manage relationships with co-investors and align on investment approach and governance
• Assess ownership and deal structures, including majority acquisitions with relocation and minority investments combined with local joint ventures
• Support transaction terms and execution while ensuring appropriate oversight and institutional risk controls
• Contribute to investment evaluations, valuation assessments, and transaction structuring activities
• Support negotiation processes and transaction execution work streams
• Develop investment memoranda, strategic assessments, and executive decision-making materials
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders throughout the investment lifecycle
• Support the incorporation of relocation, joint venture, and collaboration commitments into transaction structures, competing on ecosystem fit rather than price alone
• Coordinate with investment attraction stakeholders on incentives and landing packages
• Support post-deal localization and value creation initiatives to establish a long-term presence in Abu Dhabi
• Help ensure investments contribute positively to ecosystem growth and sustainable value creation

• 8–10 years of experience within an MBB or equivalent top-tier strategy consulting firm, with a strong due diligence and deals background serving private equity funds and corporate acquirers
• Extensive hands‑on experience supporting buy‑side acquisition engagements is required
• Experience engaging with sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and strategic counter parties
• Strong analytical and structuring skills, including target screening, valuation logic, ecosystem‑fit assessment, and deal framing
• Extensive hands‑on due diligence experience across commercial, financial, IP, and talent dimensions
• Strong understanding of transaction structures, co‑investment models, and joint venture arrangements
• Ability to engage confidently with sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and strategic investors
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills
• Ability to operate in complex and fast‑paced transaction environments

• Experience in gaming sector transactions is preferred; exposure to media, technology, or entertainment sectors is also relevant
• Prior M&A, private equity, or corporate development experience, either in‑house or advisory
• Exposure to cross‑border transactions and relocation or localization structures
• Strong working knowledge of AI tools and their application to strategy and due diligence

12-month contract

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates