Director, National Transformation

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Posted on 02/02/2026

500 Global is a venture capital firm with $2.2B in assets under management that invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive

The Director, National Transformation will lead senior, client-facing advisory engagements with governments seeking to develop and scale private markets as a core pillar of national economic transformation. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, institutional reform, and capital mobilization
, translating national priorities into actionable market strategies that can ultimately support financing platforms, investment vehicles, and sustained private-sector participation. This position plays a central role in shaping how governments catalyze new markets and sectors into sustained platforms that crowd in private capital over time.

The Director will serve as a trusted counterpart to ministers, senior civil servants, sovereign entities, and development partners, while also building and leading high‑performing Advisory teams across EMEA. In addition to leading engagements, the role requires P&L responsibility
, and carries an expectation of origination and relationship development particularly with governments, sovereign institutions, and DFIs.

The Director will both build and scale an institutional advisory team and platform
. The Director will own the end‑to‑end delivery of national transformation advisory mandates, acting as a key builder of long‑term country relationships and a visible leader of the firm’s advisory work.

• Lead end‑to‑end national and sectoral transformation engagements focused on private market development, investment, and institutional capacity building – with full accountability for outcomes and timelines
• Serve as day‑to‑day senior counterpart to ministers, permanent secretaries, sovereign CEOs, and senior government officials
• Translate national development priorities into coherent strategies, roadmaps, and implementation plans with clear economic and institutional logic
• Carry revenue and P&L responsibility for national transformation engagements, in coordination with Delivery and Finance teams.
• Navigate complex political, institutional, and multi‑stakeholder environments with judgment and discretion

• Own delivery quality across multiple concurrent engagements
• Build, manage, and mentor multidisciplinary Advisory teams across geographies
• Set analytical direction, synthesize insights, and ensure client‑ready outputs at the highest standard
• Act as engagement lead, including scope management, timelines, and senior‑level problem solving

• Design strategies that enable private capital participation, including reforms related to regulation, institutions, market structure, and pipeline development
• Work closely with sovereign funds, DFIs, foundations, and other partners to align strategy with financing pathways
• Support the evolution of advisory engagements toward durable platforms, programs, or investment mechanisms where appropriate

• Lead team responsible for proposal development, partnership formation, and long‑term client relationships
• Develop and maintain senior relationships with governments, sovereign institutions, DFIs, and global partners
• Originate new advisory opportunities independently or in collaboration with Government Relations and Senior Leadership team
• Represent the platform in regional and global forums as a credible senior leader.

• 12–18+ years of relevant experience in national transformation, economic development or private market development strategy
• Senior leadership experience at a top‑tier strategy consultancy, global development advisory firm or major development institution
• Demonstrated experience in national transformation strategy development, working directly with ministerial‑level counterparts and senior government stakeholders
• Background in economic development and/or private market development required. Track record leading complex, multi‑country or multi‑stakeholder engagements end‑to‑end
• Fluency in French and/or Arabic would be highly advantageous

• Based in the GCC (Riyadh, Abu Dhabi or Dubai strongly preferred)
• Willing to travel internationally frequently as required