Senior Business Development & Operations Lead

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Job Title - Senior Business Development & Operations Lead
• Location - Dubai, UAE (Pan-UAE coverage)
• Reporting To - Founder / CEO
• Employment Type - Full-Time | Permanent
• Minimum Commitment - 3 Years
• Future Titles - Head of Marketing & BD | Chief Responsible Officer
• UAE Experience - Mandatory — Non-Negotiable

About the Role

We are seeking a high-calibre, senior-level professional to join our leadership team in Dubai. This is not a conventional sales role — we are looking for someone with the gravitas, market knowledge, and entrepreneurial drive to own and grow our business across the UAE, while having the operational maturity to represent the company at the highest level, including in the absence of the Founder.

The ideal candidate will have deep roots in the UAE business services sector — spanning business formation, auditing, and legal/law firm environments — and will bring an established network, proven revenue generation capability, and a long-term mindset aligned with our growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Revenue Generation

• Drive new business across the UAE, independently identifying, approaching, and closing clients in business formation, auditing, and legal services sectors
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities across Free Zones, Mainland, and Offshore markets
• Develop and execute a business development strategy aligned with company growth targets
• Leverage an existing UAE network to generate referrals, partnerships, and new client mandates
• Represent the company at industry events, networking forums, and client meetings

Operations & Leadership

• Take full operational ownership of the Dubai office and UAE business when the Founder is abroad
• Manage day-to-day operations including client delivery oversight, team coordination, and vendor relationships
• Act as the primary point of contact for key client accounts and escalations
• Provide market intelligence and strategic recommendations to the Founder on a regular basis

Brand & Market Positioning

• Develop and execute marketing initiatives to strengthen brand visibility across the UAE
• Build relationships with Free Zone authorities, government bodies, and industry associations
• Contribute to service development and pricing strategy based on market insights

Qualifications & Experience Required

Mandatory Requirements

• Minimum 8–15 years of professional experience, with significant exposure to UAE business services
• Proven track record in business formation, auditing, or law firm environments in the UAE
• Active UAE presence with an established local network — candidates without UAE experience will not be considered
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive and close business — not a support or coordination role
• Written Commitment to a minimum 3-year tenure with the organization

Preferred Profile

• Prior experience working within a Business Setup Consultancy, Audit Firm, or Law Firm in the UAE
• Understanding of UAE Free Zone, Mainland, and Offshore company structures
• Experience managing a team or business unit with P&L accountability
• Arabic language skills advantageous but not mandatory
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Business, Finance, Law, or related field

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong hunter mentality — proactive in generating new business rather than managing existing accounts
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professional maturity
• Comfortable operating with autonomy and making decisions independently
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute at ground level
• Resilient, target-driven, and committed to long-term relationship building

Career Progression Path

• The successful candidate will initially join the organization as Senior BD & Operations Lead, taking immediate ownership of business development and operational responsibilities across the UAE market.
• Based on performance, contribution, and business growth, the role is expected to progress into Head of Marketing & Business Development within approximately 12–18 months, with expanded leadership responsibilities across strategic growth, branding, and market expansion initiatives.
• In the long term, the position offers a pathway toward the leadership designation of Chief Responsible Officer (CRO), subject to performance, organizational impact, and long-term commitment to the company’s vision and growth objectives.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and UAE market benchmarks
• Performance-based commission and bonus structure tied to business development outcomes
• Clear and transparent path to senior leadership, including CRO designation
• Autonomy to build and shape the business development function from the ground up
• A long-term partnership mindset — we are investing in a leader, not just hiring an employee
• 3-year retention incentive tied to tenure milestone

Work Location: In person