Senior Business Development Manager

Overview

Role Review

Project Ownership & BD Transformation

• Take projects defined by the Head of Business Development and drive them end-to-end with full accountability
• Lead transformation initiatives across the Business Development function, including process redesign, tool implementation, CRM adoption, trackers, reporting, and framework development
• Manage external consultants and vendors throughout the project lifecycle, including scoping, delivery oversight, quality control, and follow-up
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams with Finance, PMO, Legal, and other internal stakeholders
• Translate complex briefs into clear workplans, milestones, owners, risks, dependencies, and deliverables

BD Functional Support & External Representation

• Represent the Head of Business Development in key meetings in Abu Dhabi and regionally when required
• Engage directly with companies, ecosystem partners, government entities, and institutional stakeholders at a senior level
• Support Business Attraction and Relationship teams on high-stakes topics that go beyond their day-to-day scope
• Contribute to Incentive Committee preparation, investment memos, partnership discussions, negotiations, and key Business Development deliverables
• Ensure the entity is credibly and professionally represented in strategic stakeholder and industry discussions

Research & Strategic Input

• Conduct market and competitive research to support Business Development decisions and ongoing initiatives
• Synthesize intelligence from internal teams, partners, events, and market activity into clear inputs for the Head of Business Development
• Act as a sparring partner during the definition phase of projects and strategic decisions
• Prepare structured recommendations, briefing materials, and executive-level inputs to support decision-making
• Challenge thinking constructively and contribute informed perspectives based on research and field intelligence

Team Coordination & BD Operations

• Coordinate day-to-day priorities across the Business Attraction and Relationship teams
• Track open workstreams, follow-ups, risks, and dependencies to ensure timely resolution
• Act as the connective tissue between Business Development teams and cross-functional stakeholders
• Maintain visibility across key priorities, ensuring alignment, momentum, and accountability across the function
• Build and maintain practical tools, trackers, processes, and reporting structures that improve execution discipline and operational visibility

Requirements

• 7–10 years of relevant experience in business development, strategy, project management, transformation, partnerships, consulting, investment, or a related field
• Experience at Senior Manager, Manager, Senior Consultant, or equivalent level
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-workstream projects from planning through execution
• Experience working with senior stakeholders across government, corporate, institutional, or industry environments
• Experience managing external consultants, vendors, or delivery partners
• Based in Abu Dhabi or willing to relocate

Core Capabilities

• Strong project ownership mindset, with the ability to take a brief, structure the work, manage moving parts, and deliver the output
• Strong project management capability, including work planning, tracking, reporting, escalation, and delivery oversight
• Credible stakeholder presence, with the ability to represent the organisation professionally in senior-level discussions
• Strong understanding of Business Development pipeline logic, partnerships, investment basics, and commercial decision-making
• Systems-oriented approach, with the ability to build processes, trackers, tools, and operating rhythms that are practical and sustainable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong ability to prepare executive-level materials, memos, presentations, and structured recommendations

Experience & Exposure

• Experience in gaming, interactive entertainment, technology, startups, venture building, or ecosystem development is strongly valued
• Experience in a start-up, build-phase, or newly established function is a strong advantage
• Exposure to government, consulting, strategy, investment, business development, partnerships, or ecosystem development environments
• Experience supporting senior leadership or Head-of-function-level stakeholders
• Experience contributing to incentive programs, investment cases, partnership negotiations, or committee-level materials would be an advantage
• Strong research and synthesis skills, with the ability to form a clear point of view and communicate it effectively
• Highly organised, proactive, intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

Contract Duration

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates