Chief Business Development Officer

Role overview

Key responsibilities

• Develop business development strategy aligned with growth objectives and priority market segments.
• Acquire and grow relationships with multinational companies, family offices, government entities, and other high-value clients.
• Build C-suite and board-level relationships with decision-makers.
• Lead opportunity qualification, proposals, pricing, negotiations, and deal closures.
• Drive cross-selling across Audit & Assurance, Tax, Advisory, Accounting, Payroll, HR, Risk, Compliance, Technology, and ESG.
• Strengthen account management, CRM discipline, pipeline governance, and revenue forecasting.
• Leverage the HLB International network for referrals and international client relationships.
• Identify markets, partnerships, and opportunities to expand services.
• Lead and develop the Business Development team and commercial capabilities across Partners and senior management.
• Collaborate across service, marketing, finance, and risk teams to ensure compliant commercial growth.

Candidate requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• 10–15 years in business development, commercial growth, or strategic sales, including significant senior leadership experience.
• Proven revenue results acquiring and growing multinational, family office, government, or large corporate relationships.
• Professional services experience in audit, tax, advisory, consulting, legal, banking, or a related environment.
• Substantial UAE/GCC experience with an established senior-level business network.
• Strong knowledge of professional services sales, pricing, client acquisition, account management, and cross-service development.
• Commercial acumen, leadership, negotiation skills, and executive presence.
• Experience with CRM platforms, pipeline management, business intelligence, and data-driven growth strategies.
• Understanding of the UAE business environment and relevant regulatory considerations.