Overview
Ecosystem Investments Manager Jobs in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates at Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)
Title: Ecosystem Investments Manager
Company: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)
Location: Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
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.
Key Responsibilities
Target Identification & Assessment
- 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
Co-Investment with SWFs & Private Equity
- 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
Localization, Value Creation & Ecosystem Growth
- Contribute to investment evaluations, valuation assessments, and transaction structuring activities
- Support negotiation processes and transaction execution workstreams
- Develop investment memoranda, strategic assessments, and executive decision-making materials
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders throughout the investment lifecycle
Localization & Ecosystem Development
- 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
Requirements
- 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 counterparties
Core Capabilities
- 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 & Exposure
- 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
Contract Duration
12-month contract
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Interested candidates are welcome to apply or share their CV for consideration.