Strategy & Experience Lead / Associate

About Ember

Ember is a pioneering luxury experiential studio focused on shaping the future of travel, lifestyle, and guest experiences. Recognized as the Middle East's first luxury experiential brand and endorsed by Forbes Travel Guide, Ember crafts unforgettable journeys and impactful experiences for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, governments, sovereign bodies, and global corporations. Operating through two segments—Ember Journeys (B2C luxury travel) and Studio Ember (B2B experience strategy and consultancy)—the company is amid a significant growth phase, seeking exceptional talent to join its intimate but dynamic team.

Role Overview

The Strategy & Experience Lead or Associate will be key contributors in driving Ember’s business development and client experience strategy. These positions require versatility, combining strategic insight, brand and business development expertise, experience design, and creative execution. Candidates should thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and passion for their work—whether architecting pitches, orchestrating journeys, or crafting brand visuals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop responses to RFPs and briefs from luxury brands, governments, and corporations.
• Proactively scout and pursue new business opportunities across Ember's divisions.
• Manage the full pitch cycle including brief analysis, strategy formulation, proposal drafting, presentation design, and delivery.
• Create visually compelling, brand-aligned pitch decks reflecting Ember’s cinematic style and strategic depth.
• Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders in target sectors.
• Lead development of client experience and journey strategies, defining flow, feel, and lasting impact.
• Engage in commercial strategy discussions to identify growth prospects for clients and Ember.
• Translate complex briefs into clear strategic frameworks across experience, brand, and commercial domains.
• Support and refine Ember’s brand vision and market positioning, ensuring consistency across all communications.
• Design and curate bespoke, purposeful travel itineraries and immersive experiential concepts aligned with client goals.
• Collaborate with product teams to innovate new journey offerings and themed experiences.
• Produce polished, client-ready decks and presentations with high visual standards using Keynote and preferably Adobe Creative Suite or similar tools.
• Apply keen editorial judgement to all creative output, ensuring impeccable quality and alignment.

Qualifications and Skills

• 7 to 10+ years’ experience within luxury travel, lifestyle sectors, brand strategy, or experience design.
• Preferably possess a travel editorial background focused on crafting bespoke luxury travel experiences.
• Demonstrable success in business development, pitching, and managing proposals from inception to closure.
• Strong strategic thinking capable of developing and presenting experience, brand, and commercial frameworks.
• Excellent written storytelling abilities combined with design and confident presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Keynote; advanced design capabilities including Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, or Figma are strongly desired.
• Experience collaborating with governments, corporates, or ultra-high-net-worth clients.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to operate independently with minimal supervision.
• Preferred experience in agency, consultancy, or startup environments.
• Mentoring or managing junior team members is advantageous.
• Arabic language proficiency or deep understanding of GCC markets is a plus.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, remote position based in Abu Dhabi. Candidates are expected to start as soon as possible and will be part of a team delivering exceptional service in a luxury experiential context.