AI Innovation & Venture - Manager - Dubai

Job description

About Us With offices in 152 countries and nearly 328,000 professionals, we are one of the world’s leading professional services networks, helping organisations and individuals create lasting value through Assurance, Tax and Advisory services. For over 40 years, we have contributed to the Middle East’s transformation journey, partnering with governments and businesses to deliver sustainable solutions. Today, more than 12,000 of us across Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are shaping the region’s future. Line of Service Overview Internal Firm Services (IFS) is the trusted foundation of PwC, delivering innovative managed services and operational capabilities that enable our clients’ evolving needs. A career in IFS offers diverse opportunities across Human Capital, Finance, Technology, Clients & Markets, Marketing & Communications, Risk & Quality, Partner Development, Office Management, and Managed Services. We don’t just support the business—we shape it, driving strategies and initiatives that power growth and transformation across PwC Middle East. Business Unit Overview AI Strategy & Technology at PwC Middle East combines strategic foresight with digital innovation to accelerate transformation. We shape operating models, design technology roadmaps, and deliver integrated solutions that drive growth and resilience. By exploring emerging technologies, advancing intelligent automation, and leveraging data-driven insights, we unite strategy, design, and execution—helping PwC and its clients harness innovation, navigate disruption, and achieve sustainable outcomes. How You’ll Contribute 1. Idea intake and qualification Lead the day-to-day management of the AI idea intake funnel across Lines of Service and internal teams. Work with idea owners, LoS AI & Digital Lab teams, CTOs, AI Leads, and central teams to shape early ideas into clear concept canvases. Support Gate 1 assessments by reviewing whether ideas address a real problem, have named demand, are strategically aligned, avoid duplication, and have an initial path to build, buy, partner, or close. Coordinate with technical, risk, quality, legal, and compliance stakeholders to identify early feasibility issues, potential red flags, and dependencies. Ensure clear written recommendations are produced for Go, No-Go, or Refine decisions. 2. Business case development Lead the development of full business cases for approved ideas, working jointly with LoS idea owners and central Tech & AI teams. Structure business cases across the required areas: problem statement, strategic fit, market demand, solution approach, risk and compliance, commercial model, ROI, scalability, reusability, and go-to-market potential. Challenge assumptions around demand, adoption, pricing, cost, delivery capacity, risk, and long-term ownership. Build or oversee financial models covering investment requirements, expected revenue, cost savings, productivity benefits, ROI, payback, and funding thresholds. Translate technical concepts into executive-ready narratives and investment committee materials. 3. Investment committee and routing support Prepare business cases and recommendations for AI investment committee review. Support Gate 2 investment decisions by assessing strategic fit, impact, ROI, reusability, repeatability, and feasibility. Support Gate 3 routing decisions by assessing build complexity, R&Q exposure, productization potential, reversibility, eminence, and scalability. Coordinate follow-ups, decision logs, approval notes, and rescoping actions. Help determine whether ideas should be built centrally, by LoS teams, co-built with partners, bought, or routed through other internal technology processes. 4. Portfolio, ROI, and governance Maintain visibility of the idea and business case pipeline, including status, owners, dependencies, decisions, and next steps. Support ongoing ROI tracking by ensuring baselines, success metrics, and commercial assumptions are captured during intake and business case development. Identify themes across submitted ideas, including duplication, reusable components, common client needs, sector patterns, and potential xLoS opportunities. Contribute to governance standards, templates, rubrics, playbooks, and operating procedures for the intake and investment lifecycle. 5. AI startup incubator development Support the design and setup of a PwC-hosted AI startup incubator focused on regional AI startups. Help define the incubator’s operating model, selection criteria, governance, value proposition, partnership model, and engagement pathways with PwC and clients. Source, screen, and assess AI startups based on strategic relevance, technical maturity, commercial potential, founder quality, regulatory fit, and alignment with PwC priorities. Support the development of startup business cases, pilot proposals, collaboration models, and partnership recommendations. Coordinate incubator programming, including workshops, mentorship sessions, demo days, client showcases, and internal stakeholder engagement. Track startup progress, pilot outcomes, risks, commercial opportunities, and potential routes to scale. What You’ll Bring Strong experience in strategy, innovation, digital transformation, AI, technology consulting, venture building, corporate innovation, product strategy, or business case development. Experience developing business cases, investment recommendations, financial models, and executive-level decision papers. Strong understanding of AI, emerging technology, digital products, platforms, and the difference between build, buy, partner, and co-build routes. Ability to assess ideas across commercial, technical, operational, risk, and strategic dimensions. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across LoS teams, technology teams, risk, legal, finance, leadership, and external partners. Experience with startups, venture studios, accelerators, incubators, corporate venture building, or ecosystem partnerships is highly desirable. Comfort working in ambiguity and building new processes from the ground up. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex ideas into clear narratives. For Manager level: typically 6–8+ years of relevant experience. Consulting experience is preferred. Experience in the Middle East region is preferred. Exposure to AI, data, product development, venture building, or startup ecosystems is strongly preferred. How You’ll Make a Difference At PwC Midde East, we expect all our people to embody the skills and behaviours of The PwC Professional framework, helping us deliver on our strategy while growing and developing as leaders at every level. Why You’ll Love Working at PwC At PwC Middle East, you’ll find more than just a job - you’ll build a meaningful career, supported by rewards and benefits that help you thrive. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and programs that promote well-being, balance, and personal growth. You’ll have access to continuous learning, digital upskilling, and a collaborative environment that values innovation, mentorship, and diversity. Are you ready to make a difference? Want to unlock new value by applying your unique perspective and talents? You can grow exponentially here. Discover more about Life at PwC Middle East.