Chief of Staff, UAE

Job description

ROLE HIGHLIGHTS: - Chief of Staff, UAE - Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE - Department: ICEYE UAE - Reports to: CEO, ICEYE UAE - Employment type: Permanent - Workplace model: Hybrid - Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required) WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS: As a Chief of Staff, you'll act as a trusted advisor and force multiplier to ICEYE's UAE CEO, turning strategic priorities into disciplined execution. You'll sit at the intersection of strategy, operations, stakeholder management, and executive communications, in a fast-scaling, sovereign-sensitive environment. WHO WE ARE ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth. ICEYE owns the world's largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system. ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future. Founded and headquartered in Finland, ICEYE operates globally with over 1000 employees across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. YOUR DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES - Partner with the CEO to translate strategic and business priorities into actionable plans, and track execution against key milestones. - Run the operating rhythm for the UAE team: agenda-setting, decision tracking, follow-through, and escalation of blockers. - Lead special projects and cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the CEO, from scoping through delivery. - Prepare briefing materials, board updates, and presentations for internal leadership and government stakeholders. - Act as a gatekeeper and force multiplier for the CEO's time, priorities, and external engagements, including drafting executive communications. - Support engagement with UAE government entities, sovereign customers, and strategic partners, including scheduling, briefing, and follow-up. - Own regional reporting cadences (KPIs, OKRs, business reviews) and drive operational improvements across the UAE office. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR Must haves: - 7+ years of experience in strategy consulting, investment banking, a Chief of Staff / executive office role, or a senior operational role in a fast-scaling company. - Demonstrated experience working with or alongside senior government, defense, or sovereign wealth stakeholders in the UAE or wider GCC. - Strong track record of cross-functional program management and executive-level communication. - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English. - Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy and discretion, including with sensitive or classified information. - Bachelor's degree. - Willingness to travel regionally and occasionally internationally. Nice to haves: - Arabic language proficiency. - Prior exposure to the space, satellite, or broader aerospace and defense sector. - Experience supporting a regional office or subsidiary of a global technology or industrial company. - MBA or equivalent advanced degree. - A builder's mindset: comfortable with ambiguity, energized by standing up processes from scratch. - Sound judgment and composure operating in politically and commercially sensitive contexts APPLICATION PROCESS - Screening call with Talent Attraction Partner (30 mins) - Hiring Manager interview with regional CEO - Case study / strategic exercise - Case presentation + Stakeholder panel - Final Interview WORKING AT ICEYE At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win. HOW WE WORK (OUR VALUES) Make the impossible possible: We set ambitious goals and stay calm under pressure. We bring grit, optimism, and ownership when things get hard, and we keep moving until we find a way. - Be curious: Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the “why” behind decisions. - See the big picture: Stay close to what’s happening across the company so you can make better decisions. Consider how your work affects others. - Drive effective teamwork: Create psychological safety, invite different perspectives, and build inclusive teams. There are no bad questions. - Act as one team: We win together. We match tasks to the right owner and stay agile as priorities shift. - Have fun: What we do matters—and it should be enjoyable. Celebrate progress, take pride in results, and share the wins. BENEFITS Our benefits are designed to support your health and wellbeing, at work and beyond. We keep improving them based on employee feedback, and offerings vary by location. Talent Acquisition will confirm what applies for this role and location during the process. OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION We want ICEYE to be a place where people can be themselves and do great work. Different backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, which is why we work to create an environment where people feel included, respected, and able to speak up. Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table. We’re committed to fair, inclusive hiring and equal opportunity. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, tell us—we’ll do our best to help. Apply now to start your ICEYE journey, and help us continue to make the impossible possible together. Read more about ICEYE and working with us at iceye.com http://iceye.com.