General Manager – UAE for AI Startup

About Kentrick AI

Kentrick AI is pioneering the intelligent infrastructure that enterprises across the Gulf region and beyond will rely on. By integrating agentic AI, cloud-native engineering, and deep domain knowledge, the company is revolutionizing vital operational workflows. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi with an R&D hub in Egypt, Kentrick AI is at an exciting growth stage with real products and customers, offering a unique opportunity to shape the company's future.

Role Overview

The General Manager role demands a hands-on leader with comprehensive ownership over the UAE business operations and leadership of the Egypt R&D team. Reporting to the founder, the individual will steer strategy, customer relations, and growth. This position combines direct customer engagement with managing operational and delivery challenges, requiring a proactive approach to building organizational capabilities from scratch.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all UAE operations end-to-end, including commercial, financial, administrative, and delivery aspects.
• Drive revenue growth with full commercial accountability for pipeline management, pricing, and key account relationships.
• Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, vendor partnerships, and P&L management.
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulatory, licensing, and employment laws.
• Represent the company externally to customers, partners, regulators, and investors.
• Lead and develop the Egypt R&D team, fostering a cohesive culture across locations.
• Coordinate operational rhythms between Abu Dhabi and Cairo covering planning, priorities, and accountability.
• Manage recruitment for both UAE and Egypt offices, setting standards and finalizing hiring decisions.
• Provide coaching and feedback to team members, modeling expected performance.
• Establish efficient operational systems including reporting, forecasting, delivery tracking, and SOPs.
• Simplify and formalize informal processes to improve scalability without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Focus on high-impact improvements to accelerate growth.
• Collaborate with the founder on market strategy, partnerships, and positioning.
• Translate market and customer feedback into prioritized engineering objectives.
• Manage delivery commitments, issue escalations, and maintain customer satisfaction.

Candidate Requirements

• 8–12 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in full ownership of a business unit, country operations, or startup function.
• Demonstrated success in commercial execution and operational management with direct accountability for financial metrics.
• Experience overseeing multi-country or distributed teams, preferably including engineers.
• Solid technical understanding of AI and cloud computing to engage effectively with engineering teams and enterprise customers.
• Strong business-to-business and enterprise sales experience with sophisticated buyers.
• Familiarity with UAE market regulations, licensing processes, and recruitment practices.
• Excellent decision-making skills under pressure and ability to communicate clearly amid ambiguity.
• Comfort with evolving workflows in a rapidly scaling startup environment.
• Availability for immediate or near-immediate start is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• UAE National candidates are encouraged due to eligibility for the Nafis program.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI, large language model technologies, and cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS.
• Proven track record in scaling early-stage startups to commercial traction.
• Established networks within UAE enterprise, government, or telecommunications sectors.
• Prior experience managing teams or operations in Egypt or broader MENA region.

Additional Information

• Work location: Abu Dhabi, UAE with a hybrid work model.
• Travel requirement: Approximately 30%, mostly between UAE and Egypt R&D hub.
• Employment type: Full-time, permanent position.
• Compensation: Competitive salary alongside a benefits package.
• National Development: Strongly supports UAE nationals and adheres to Nafis program principles.

Diversity and Inclusion

Kentrick AI emphasizes merit-based recruitment without bias and welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds, actively encouraging Emirati candidates in alignment with national priorities.