Brand Development Manager UAE

Linked4HR Human Resources Consultancies LLC; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Linked4HR is partnering with a leading international premium spirits group to hire a commercially driven Brand Development Manager for the UAE on-trade. You will drive distribution, win new accounts and deliver standout brand activations across bars, restaurants, hotels and clubs.

In this high-impact role you will develop strategic partnerships with F&B leaders, monitor KPI-driven performance and translate market insights into growth initiatives, with a focus on the aperitif category and premium

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related field.
• 23 years experience in sales, business development or trade marketing within beverage/alcohol (spirits preferred).
• Strong knowledge of UAE on-trade landscape.
• Demonstrated commercial growth and activation success.
• Proven negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive and able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Segment and prioritize on-trade outlets aligned to brand strategy.
• Identify approach and secure new on-trade accounts.
• Plan and execute high-impact activation strategies.
• Build strong partnerships with F&B leaders and hospitality stakeholders.
• Monitor activation KPIs and ROI.
• Secure premium visibility (menus, back bars, POSM promotions).
• Provide hands-on support to on-trade partners.
• Track KPIs for distribution growth through audits and reporting.

Skills

Excellent communication and Influencin

Time and priority management

Problem solving and project mgmt

Stakeholder management

Team player and opportunity spotting

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Fluent in English

Spirits industry passion

Strong presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related field

Job description

Our client a leading international premium spirits group is looking for a commercially driven Brand Development Manager to accelerate growth in the UAE. This is a high-impact on-trade focused role where you will drive distribution win new accounts and deliver standout brand activations across bars restaurants hotels and clubs. If you thrive in the fast-paced hospitality scene and know how to get brands visible listed and selling this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Distribution & Expansion

• Segment and prioritize on-trade outlets aligned to brand strategy
• Identify approach and secure new on-trade accounts
• Support perfect store negotiations with venue owners
• Drive full portfolio penetration with focus on aperitif category
• Track KPIs for distribution growth through audits and reporting

Brand Activation

• Plan and execute high-impact activation strategies
• Partner with venues on campaigns and events
• Monitor activation KPIs and ROI
• Secure premium visibility (menus back bars POSM promotions)

Relationship Management

• Build strong partnerships with F&B leaders and hospitality stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with local distribution partner
• Deliver bartender and BA training programs
• Provide hands-on support to on-trade partners

Market Intelligence

• Monitor consumer trends and competitor activity in UAE on trade
• Provide actionable insights to internal teams
• Benchmark performance vs. competitors
• Use data to optimize route-to-market and activation plans

Experience & Education

• Bachelors degree in business Marketing or related field
• 23 years experience in sales business development or trade marketing within beverage/alcohol (spirits preferred)
• Strong knowledge of UAE on-trade landscape
• Demonstrated commercial growth and activation success
• Proven negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Entrepreneurial proactive and able to work independently

Required Skills

• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Strong time and priority management
• Hands-on problem solver with project management capability
• Strong stakeholder management across all levels
• Team player with opportunity-spotting mindset
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Fluent in English (Arabic is a plus)
• Passion for the spirits industry
• Strong presentation skills

Additional Requirement

• Willingness to travel when required