Studio General Manager, Up to AED 40,000 per month, Abu Dhabi

Due to expansion this newly created position requires someone with 8+ years in senior management roles within creative agencies, production studios, or media companies. They are seeking a General Manager to lead the day-to-day operations as they scale towards ambitious growth targets. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of impact-driven storytelling in the Middle East while building a world-class creative organisation that drives real environmental change. You will be responsible for operational excellence ensuring they deliver exceptional results for clients while maintaining their commitment to sustainability and social impact. Please respect the criteria requirements and only apply if you meet these as you will not be considered if you do not, this role is not open to candidates who do not currently reside here, you must be prepared to relocate to Abu Dhabi.

Description:

·        Drive operational excellence across their dual studio/hub model, ensuring seamless integration between commercial projects and community impact initiatives

·        Lead the execution of their strategic plans, focusing on sustainable revenue growth and market leadership

·        Partner with the Director to set organizational priorities and ensure alignment with their mission and values

·        Build and maintain strategic partnerships that amplify impact and expand the reach

·        Oversee all business operations, from project delivery and client relationships to community programming and Hub activations

·        Implement scalable systems and processes that support their growth from startup to established industry leader

·        Manage resource allocation across departments to optimize both profitability and impact

·        Ensure delivery excellence across all touchpoints – from client projects to community events

·        Lead, mentor, and develop department heads to build a high-performing leadership team

·        Foster a mission-driven culture that attracts and retains top talent aligned with their sustainability values

·        Drive cross-functional collaboration between studio and hub operations

·        Champion professional development and career progression across all levels

·        Take ownership of their ambitious revenue targets, working closely with Business Development to diversify income streams

·        Optimize pricing strategies and service offerings to maximize value for both commercial clients and community members

·        Drive operational efficiency to improve margins while maintaining their commitment to quality and impact

·        Lead new business model development, including partnerships, grants, and innovative revenue streams

Criteria:

·        Must currently reside in the UAE and be prepared to relocate to Abu Dhabi

·        8+ years in senior management roles within creative agencies, production studios, or media companies

·        Proven track record managing P&L responsibility for organizations with AED 10M+ revenue targets

·        Agency background with deep understanding of client service, project management, and creative operations

·        Team leadership experience managing 15+ person teams across multiple departments

·        Business development acumen with experience driving revenue growth and partnership development

·        Strategic thinking with ability to balance short-term execution with long-term vision

·        Operational excellence with experience implementing systems, processes, and KPIs that drive performance

·        Financial management skills including budgeting, forecasting, and margin optimization

·        Adaptability to work across both commercial studio demands and community hub operations

·        Stakeholder management across diverse groups including government, corporates, and community organizations

·        Cultural fluency in the UAE market with understanding of local business practices and regulations

·        Mission-driven mindset with genuine passion for sustainability and environmental impact

·        Entrepreneurial spirit comfortable with ambiguity and rapid growth environments

·        Collaborative leadership style that builds consensus while driving decisive action

·        Exceptional communication skills in English, Arabic would be an advantage but isn’t essential

• Adaptability to work across both commercial studio demands and community hub operations

Please respect the criteria requirements and only apply if you meet these as you will not be considered if you do not. We thank you for your application, however due to the high volume of candidate applications, we only accept online applications in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted, however if you are not successful on this occasion, your CV will be stored on our database but to make sure you do not miss out, keep checking our website, follow us on Twitter and follow our Sapphire Recruitment LinkedIn page.