AI Partnerships and Venture Scouting Specialist - First Bank UAE

Position Overview

This role focuses on global startup and scale‑up scouting within the AI and financial services landscape, identifying innovative technologies, strategic partners, and emerging trends that can support First Abu Dhabi Bank's long‑term digital and AI transformation.

Country: UAE

City:
Abu Dhabi

Industry: Banking

Function:
Strategy/Planning

Salary:  monthly (Market estimated)

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality:
Any

Job Type: Full‑time

• Scout startups and scale‑ups globally in the AI and financial services domains to identify high‑potential technologies and emerging market trends.
• Conduct market and competitive intelligence to evaluate innovation opportunities.
• Assess maturity, strategic fit, and relevance of startup and scale‑up solutions.
• Support make‑versus‑buy decisions for AI and digital transformation use cases.
• Manage and grow strategic relationships with global hyperscalers including Microsoft, G42, and others.
• Collaborate with accelerators, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and ecosystem partners.
• Facilitate pilot engagements, proof‑of‑concept initiatives, and technical collaborations.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure smooth execution of pilot testing and partner onboarding.

• Strong understanding of AI technologies, digital innovation, and financial services trends.
• Experience in startup evaluation, venture scouting, partnership development, or innovation ecosystems.
• Ability to assess technical maturity and business relevance of emerging solutions.
• Skilled in competitive intelligence, market research, and strategic analysis.
• Comfortable managing senior‑level relationships with hyperscalers, VCs, and academic partners.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present insights clearly.
• Self‑driven, collaborative, and able to work in fast‑evolving innovation environments.

• AI ecosystem knowledge
• Startup and scale‑up scouting
• Market and competitive intelligence
• Strategic partnership management
• Pilot facilitation and technical coordination
• Innovation assessment
• Venture landscape understanding
• Cross‑functional collaboration

Work with the largest bank in the UAE during an advanced phase of AI‑led transformation. Engage directly with global AI leaders, hyperscalers, venture ecosystems, and emerging tech innovators. Opportunity to influence strategic decisions and shape future banking capabilities. Collaborative environment that supports creativity, experimentation, and rapid learning. Exposure to high‑impact innovation and digital strategy initiatives.