Associate, Strategic Projects

About the Institute of Foundation Models

We are a dedicated research lab for building, understanding, using, and risk-managing foundation models. Our mandate is to advance research, nurture the next generation of AI builders, and drive transformative contributions to a knowledge-driven economy.

As part of our team, you'll work at the intersection of frontier AI research and real-world impact, alongside world-class researchers, engineers, and business leaders. You will help shape how groundbreaking AI models are positioned, partnered, and deployed across industries, contributing to establishing MBZUAI as a global hub for foundation model development and adoption.

The Role

As an Associate on the Strategic Projects team, you will help turn IFM's frontier AI models into real-world impact. You will work on the institute's highest-priority initiatives, including strategy, commercial and go-to-market, partnerships, and operational programs. You will move fluidly between analysis, execution, and stakeholder engagement. The role suits a versatile, hands-on profile who blends strategy, business, technology, and operations skills, and who takes full ownership from problem definition to delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end execution of strategic initiatives, from scoping and planning through delivery, tracking milestones, and unblocking issues across teams.
• Conduct in-depth analysis to inform leadership decisions, including market and competitive landscapes, business cases, financial models, and partner or deal evaluations.
• Support go-to-market and commercial efforts for IFM's foundation models, including positioning, pricing inputs, launch planning, and adoption strategies.
• Help identify, structure, and manage strategic partnerships with industry, government, and academic stakeholders.
• Produce crisp, executive-ready documents and presentations, such as strategy papers, board and leadership briefings, and partner materials.
• Collaborate closely with research, engineering, product, legal, and finance teams to translate technical capabilities into clear value propositions and actionable plans.
• Design and improve internal processes, operating models, and governance for strategic programs.
• Stay on top of developments in the AI ecosystem, including models, players, policy, and infrastructure, and turn them into insights for IFM's strategy.
• Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager commensurate with these functional objectives.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Law, or a related field required.
• Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MSc) or equivalent experience preferred.

Professional Experience - Required

• 3–5 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, investment banking, strategic projects, or a similar role.
• Experience in the AI, technology, or TMT sector (exposure to AI models, cloud, or data infrastructure is a plus).
• Highly analytical, with a proven ability to dive deep into complex problems and come back with clear, well-founded answers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with a track record of producing sharp documents and presentations for senior audiences.
• Hands-on, execution-oriented mindset with strong ownership and a drive to get things done in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Ability to work across strategy, business, technology, and operations, and to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel/financial modelling (or equivalent tools).
• Fluent in English.

Professional Experience - Preferred

• Experience supporting commercial, go-to-market, or partnership initiatives from concept to execution.
• Familiarity with the UAE and wider GCC technology ecosystem.
• International experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in other languages is a plus.