M&A Integration Manager (Dubai, UAE)

Role Purpose and Strategic Mandate

Based in Dubai, the M&A Integration Manager, operates in a fast-paced environment, requiring close coordination with local operations teams, venue managers, and external partners to integrate processes without disrupting major exhibitions.

Operating as the primary operational and technology contact at the deal level, this position is crucial to managing the unique public-private joint venture landscape, requiring close coordination with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), local government authorities, and regional public-sector partners.

Functional Responsibilities

• Integration Management Office Leadership: Mobilise cross-functional teams, define integration milestones, manage local transition risks, and track synergies for regional events.
• Central Governance Integration: Report progress, risks, and implementation barriers directly to the group-level M&A Technology Steering Board to ensure local joint venture activities align with global shared services (GBS).
• Programmatic Oversight Boundary: Champion and govern the adoption of M&A technology playbooks and best practices; note that this role focuses on operational planning and does not directly manage or configure the technical builds.
• System Integration: Map and migrate local financial systems, billing engines, and exhibitor databases into the shared SAP and Oracle architectures.
• Landing Architecture Mapping: Coordinate with Enterprise Architects and platform owners to define the transition and landing architectures required to migrate acquired business systems and legacy DWTC platforms onto the standardised technology stack.
• Venue System Alignment: Coordinate with venue operations to align registration, ticketing, and event logistics systems at the flagship regional exhibition and venue centres.
• Regional HR Compliance: Partner with the people team to transition employees, manage visa processes, and align payroll with UAE Labor Law.
• Operational Continuity: Partner with event directors to ensure core systems remain fully operational during major exhibition cycles.
• Tax & Treasury Control: Partner with local finance teams to manage UAE VAT, corporate tax, and cross-border payment structures.

Requirements and Qualifications

This position requires an integration specialist with experience managing corporate transformations within the Middle East.

• Professional Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in M&A integration, corporate restructuring, or operational PMO, preferably in the Middle East.
• UAE Government & Local Emirati Experience: Strong preference for UAE National (Emirati) candidates, or professionals with extensive, proven experience working with or within UAE Government departments and public-sector entities.
• ERP & Local Systems: Hands-on experience with SAP and Oracle financial modules, with a track record of standardising billing and procurement workflows.
• Structured Mobilisation Planning: Demonstrated ability to create and manage detailed mobilisation plans, map complex target solutions, and secure alignment on options, trade-offs, and financial run-costs with senior leadership.
• Regional HR Knowledge: Good understanding of UAE Labor Law, free‑zone employment rules, and payroll processing in the GCC region.
• Events Sector Insight: Experience working within the live events, hospitality, or exhibitions sector in the Middle East.
• Bilingual Capability: Professional fluency in English is required; professional proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Soft Skills: Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, resilience, and the ability to manage stakeholder interests in a joint venture.