Considering a Move to Dubai, Any Tips?

dentsu international / Product
wtblankt

Go to company page dentsu international Product

wtblankt
Apr 30 32 Comments

My partner is considering moving to Dubai later this year and I'm exploring the option of going with him. I'm a product manager with experience in ad tech, dream job would be working on Amazon Ads DSP product. Anyone able to share what the ad tech or just tech industry in general looks like in Dubai/what the job market is like?

I'm American so if any Americans have made the same move to Dubai I'd love any advice, career related or otherwise.

Obligatory TC: $114k
YoE: 1 in tech, 5 years working

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TOP 32 Comments
  • Meta
    richardheа

    Go to company page Meta

    richardheа
    And cross your fingers not to be a woman, or you won’t have much rights there.
    Apr 30 13
    • Adobe
      noxjdjfw

      Go to company page Adobe

      noxjdjfw
      Obviously safety is not equal to freedom. Otherwise makhtoums wife would still be in dubai.
      Apr 30
    • New / R&D
      king_james

      New R&D

      king_james
      And also a safe place for gay couples.
      Apr 30
  • If you want a very superficial life where no one has a sense of community and you have to pay money to do anything, yeah it’s alright.
    Apr 30 3
    • Only on paper, the country is still highly segregated and extremely racist.

      Why anyone would purposely want to work in a middle eastern country outside of Israel is beyond me. Especially if you're a woman or gay (OP is either one).
      Apr 30
    • IBM
      ymDp24

      Go to company page IBM

      ymDp24
      Women are treated pretty decently there and can walk outside safely at pretty much any time of day. People who are not straight need to be real careful out there
      Apr 30
  • New / R&D
    king_james

    New R&D

    king_james
    Dubai is a perfect example of all that glitters are not gold.

    Short stay.- yes. Long term - big no
    Apr 30 0
  • PwC
    BillJiden

    Go to company page PwC

    BillJiden
    Great place to visit to get the Stone Age experience(mentality wise).
    Apr 30 0
  • Meta / Product
    cgvfty

    Go to company page Meta Product

    cgvfty
    Dubai has offices for all the major big tech companies and some regional offices for global marketing companies. The positions are mostly middle east sales (account management, client relationships, etc.), middle east operations, and maybe some data/analysis style roles (to support sales). There are very little if any product roles there for global established companies.

    advice wise - it is a difficult place to live unless you are fully supportive and in love with your partner and value their career very highly. Summers easily exceed 110 degrees each day, it is one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is surrounded by desert, and it is a very long flight to any city outside of the middle east no matter what direction. you will also be 100% dependent on a car.

    positives - people are friendly to expats, good nightlife, no taxes, high pay. For a short stretch (2-3 years) it will be a cool experience. Unless you have middle eastern heritage though most people don't stay longer than that. It's more of a cool thing to do while young for the experience.
    May 1 0