Head of Business Development

Role Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct meetings with clients and understand their requirements relating to expansion in UAE or broader GCC markets.
• Develop go-to-market strategies for clients entering or expanding within the UAE and wider GCC markets.
• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, customer segmentation, and opportunity assessments.
• Design market-entry, product-launch, pricing, positioning, and distribution strategies.
• Conduct business development activities including active outreach through emails and phone calls.
• Collaborate with the Sequoia Gulf team on client acquisition, proposals, presentations, and advisory engagements.
• Lead or support the execution of client projects, tracking milestones and commercial outcomes.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of professional experience in go-to-market strategy, market entry, commercial strategy, management consulting, or business development.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing market-entry or expansion strategies.
• Strong understanding of business environments, commercial practices, and growth opportunities in the UAE and GCC.
• Experience working with international companies, SMEs, or growth-stage businesses.
• Excellent communication, presentation, analytical, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage client engagements, and deliver commercially practical recommendations.

Engagement & Compensation

• Freelance engagement on a mutually agreed fee-sharing basis for projects sourced, developed, or delivered collaboratively.
• No fixed monthly salary; compensation will be linked to agreed project fees and responsibilities.
• Specific fee-sharing percentages, payment milestones, lead ownership, and project responsibilities will be agreed upon before each engagement.

Work Location

• Flexible working arrangements with remote collaboration and client meetings as required.
• Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dubai (Dubai).

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Experienced professionals with an international outlook, strong commercial networks, and a proven ability to work autonomously.
• Local and international experience in cross-border expansion and helping companies enter the UAE or GCC would be particularly valuable.