Director, Abu Dhabi Office

Role Responsibilities

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for international business, diplomacy, and economic development? Are you energized by the opportunity to live and work abroad, build strategic relationships, and make a meaningful impact on Alberta’s global presence? 

If so, this is your opportunity to lead Alberta’s operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region — a diverse and dynamic part of the world rich with opportunity.  

About the Role 

As Director of Alberta’s Abu Dhabi Office, you’ll be the Government of Alberta’s lead representative in the UAE and across MENA — advancing Alberta’s economic interests, strengthening trade relationships, and attracting investment and talent to the province.

Based in Abu Dhabi, and working closely with partners across Alberta and Canada, you’ll help Alberta companies grow internationally, uncover market opportunities, and build strategic networks across key sectors like energy, agriculture, clean technology, life sciences, and transportation. 

This role is much more than managing an office — it’s about shaping Alberta’s global story and creating real economic results for Albertans. 

What You’ll Be Doing:
 

• Leading Alberta’s international engagement strategy in the UAE and MENA region. 
• Building and managing strategic relationships with government, industry, investors, and partners. 
• Promoting Alberta’s strengths as a place to live, invest, study, and do business. 
• Identifying trade and investment opportunities and connecting Alberta companies to global markets. 
• Providing leadership to a small, dedicated team in Abu Dhabi. 
• Managing operational planning, budgeting, and performance of the Alberta Abu Dhabi Office. 
• Collaborating with Alberta ministries, federal partners, and investment agencies like Invest Alberta Corporation. 
• Supporting inbound and outbound trade missions, advocacy efforts, and marketing initiatives. 

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position. 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: 
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf. 

Essential Competencies for this role include: 
 

• Systems Thinking: The work done in the APS is part of a larger integrated and inter- related environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems Thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind. 
   
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions. 
   
• Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment. 
   
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders. 
   
• Develop Self and Others: A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long- term capability of yourself and others. 
   
• Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes. 
   
• Developing Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Qualifications

University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, preferred degree with a focus in Business or Economics, supplemented by eight years progressively responsible experience.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis. Preferred degree with a focus in International Business or Economics.

Canadian Citizenship REQUIRED. 

Assets: 
 

• A broad understanding of Alberta’s current economic drivers and priorities, as well as political and social issues. 
• Extensive related experience in international economic development and policy advocacy and networking to drive outcomes. 
• An understanding of Alberta’s industry and networks and the Alberta value proposition for international trade promotion and investment attraction. 
• Demonstrated capacity for building relationships with domestic and international businesses, intergovernmental partners and other key stakeholders. 
• Exceptional diplomacy skills in responding and dealing with sensitive and controversial matters and in representing the province at senior political, business and social levels. 
• Exposure and knowledge of business management and international business development principles and practices would be considered an asset. 
• Proven success in managing complex issues and positively influencing outcomes. 
• Exceptional verbal, written, listening and interpersonal communications skills. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards. 

Notes

The location of the position is based outside of Alberta and Canada. Successful candidates must be Canadian Citizens who must be eligible to work internationally.

Final candidates will be required to undergo Top Secret Federal Security Clearance screening. 

Guidelines for Alberta’s Posted Staff (GAPS) forms part of the terms of employment for staff that the Government of Alberta (GoA) posts both domestically and internationally. The principle of GAPS is that an employee of the GoA who is posted should be placed in neither a more nor less favourable situation than would a public servant employee working in Alberta. More information can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/guidelines-for-albertas-posted-staff-gaps .

Please review GAPS for information regarding Post-Allowance, Relocation, Payroll and Income Tax concerns.

Successful candidates must provide clearance to be medically fit for service abroad. 

This competition will be used to fill four-year contract full-time position, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 

For Internal candidates, please note this is a contract position, not a secondment or temporary assignment. You must seek approval from your home Ministry to hold your base position for the 4-year term. These approvals must be in writing and signed off by the Deputy Minister for your base position. 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please also indicate whether your work experience was part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Executive Director of Job Title (Full time)

Notes (Continued)

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees: 
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs