Policy Lead (12-Month Contract)

We are currently looking for a Policy Lead 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 aimed at strengthening Abu Dhabi’s creative ecosystem, focusing on the development of robust policy frameworks, incentive structures, and regulatory models across key creative industries.Key ResponsibilitiesPolicy Design & DevelopmentTranslate sector strategies into practical, implementable policy frameworks across creative industries (Film & TV, Gaming, Digital Publishing)Define and structure IP-related policy frameworks and registration regimesTailor policy instruments to different company profiles and investment casesIncentive Policy DesignDesign and manage government incentive and subsidy programsDefine eligibility criteria, benefit structures, compliance requirements, and governance workflowsBenchmark global best practices and adapt them to the local contextEnsure custom incentive packages remain within approved policy frameworksPolicy Governance & ReviewOwn the end-to-end policy lifecycle, including periodic reviews and updatesConduct impact assessments and recommend policy enhancementsMaintain a policy register and version control frameworkAgreement OversightOversee compliance of active incentive agreementsMonitor milestone delivery, reporting obligations, and performanceManage amendments, renewals, and escalationsRegulatory CoordinationAct as the internal authority on regulatory and legal aspects of policyLiaise with internal legal teams and external stakeholders across the ecosystemMonitor regulatory developments and translate them into actionable policy implicationsPolicy Function IncubationLead the setup and implementation of a Policy functionDefine organization structure, roles, and governance frameworksEstablish processes, operating models, and scalable ways of workingGovernance & CommitteesAct as secretariat for external regulatory committeesEnsure structured cadence, governance, and effective decision-makingRequirements7–10 years of experience in top-tier management consulting (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Strategy&, Kearney, Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, ADL)Demonstrated career progression (minimum 1–2 promotions) within the same firmStrong experience in policy design, regulatory frameworks, or incentive programsStrong structured thinking and problem-solvingExcellent policy drafting and analytical skillsAbility to translate complex regulation into practical, implementable frameworksStrong stakeholder management across government and private sector entitiesHigh attention to detail with a strong governance and compliance mindsetAbility to operate in ambiguous, evolving environmentsStrong communication and presentation skills for senior leadership audiencesExperience & ExposureExperience in policy development and governance (creative industries preferred, not mandatory)Exposure to subsidy/grant program design and administrationExperience working within regulatory environments and compliance frameworksFamiliarity with IP-related policy or legal frameworksExperience engaging with government entities and cross-sector stakeholdersExperience in the GCC is preferredFamiliarity with AI and emerging technologies is an advantageIf this sounds relevant to your background, please apply and submit your updated CV.#J-18808-Ljbffr