Chief Business Development Officer

Role overview

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the business development strategy in line with growth objectives and priority markets.
• Acquire and grow relationships with European and US multinationals, family offices, government, and government-related entities.
• Build C-suite and board-level relationships with senior 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 new markets, partnerships, and service expansion opportunities.
• Lead and develop the Business Development team and build commercial capabilities across Partners and senior management.
• Collaborate with Partners and functional leaders to support commercially sound and compliant growth.

What the employer is looking for

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, finance, accounting, or a related discipline.
• 10–15 years of business development, commercial growth, or strategic sales experience, 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 and an established senior-level business network.
• Strong understanding of professional services sales, pricing, client acquisition, strategic account management, and cross-service business development.
• Excellent commercial acumen, leadership, negotiation skills, and executive presence.
• Experience with CRM platforms, pipeline management, business intelligence, and data-driven growth strategies.
• Strong understanding of the UAE business environment and relevant regulatory considerations.