Sales Manager

About Art Dubai

Art Dubai Group is a leading cultural organization that has successfully produced the region’s most significant creative events for nearly two decades. Our mission is to support the growth of the creative sector in the Middle East and beyond, through innovative programming, educational initiatives, and strategic partnerships with both private and public entities.

Role Overview

Downtown Design is the leading fair for high-quality and contemporary design in the Middle East. With the fair now present in two cities (Dubai and Riyadh), we are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Manager to join the team. Reporting to the Downtown Design Fair Director, the Sales Manager will play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth, securing high-quality exhibitors and sponsors, and strengthening client relationships. This role requires a proactive individual with strong commercial acumen, industry knowledge, and the ability to align with the fair’s strategic positioning in the design ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Generation & Sales Growth

• Achieve and exceed annual sales revenue targets across exhibitor participation and partnerships.
• Drive new business by identifying and onboarding relevant brands aligned with Downtown Design’s positioning.
• Manage the rebooking process and ensure consistent year-on-year growth.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and nurture long-term relationships with key exhibitors and sponsors.
• Provide strategic guidance to clients on maximizing their participation and ROI.
• Maintain high exhibitor satisfaction through strong account management as well as post-sale service.

Business Development & Market Expansion

• Identify and develop new verticals, sub-events, and revenue streams.
• Conduct market research to stay ahead of design and lifestyle industry trends.
• Actively represent the fair in community engagement through networking events and industry forums to generate new leads.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Downtown Design to align outreach and targets.
• Work closely with the Downtown Design Operations and MarComms teams to deliver seamless exhibitor experiences.
• Ensure timely communication and coordination across departments to support sales activities.

Sales Operations & Reporting

• Manage the full sales cycle from lead generation to closing deals.
• Maintain accurate client pipelines, proposals, and interactions in the CRM system.
• Provide timely sales forecasts and performance reports to senior management.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a client-focused role (Business Development / Sales / Client or Commercial Development, Marketing, Communications), related to the Design or Luxury industry.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented with a strong self-starter mindset.