Business Development Executive

SThree plc; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Higher Education Institution in the UAE is seeking a commercially minded Business Development Executive to grow executive education, postgraduate and professional development programmes across the UAE and wider GCC. You will engage with corporate and government stakeholders to drive enrolments and business growth, building relationships with senior decision-makers across industries.

The role offers exposure to a prestigious international education environment and requires strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Communications, Education, or a related field.
• 3–5 years in Business Development, Account Management, Partnerships, or Recruitment.
• Experience building relationships with corporate and government stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• CRM experience and proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of UAE and GCC markets is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate, government, and strategic partner organisations.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities through proactive business development activities.
• Promote executive education, postgraduate, and professional development programmes to prospective clients and partners.
• Build, manage, and expand a strong pipeline of opportunities and stakeholder relationships.
• Conduct presentations, networking meetings, webinars, and information sessions.
• Support partnership initiatives, sponsorship opportunities, and corporate engagement activities.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking functions to enhance market presence.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and produce regular activity and pipeline reports.
• Collaborate closely with marketing and recruitment teams to support enrolment targets and business objectives.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities within the education sector.

Skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Lead generation

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Communications, Education, or related field

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client is a globally recognised higher education institution with a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and professional development. With a strong international presence and a diverse student community, the organisation delivers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, executive education, and professional development programmes. The institution works closely with corporate, government, and industry partners across the region, supporting individuals and organisations in developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an evolving business landscape.

About the Role

We are seeking a commercially minded and relationship-focused Business Development Executive to support the growth of executive education, postgraduate, and professional development programmes across the UAE and wider GCC region.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing strategic partnerships, identifying new business opportunities, and engaging with corporate and government stakeholders to drive enrolments and business growth. This position offers the opportunity to work within a prestigious international education environment while building relationships with senior decisionmakers across multiple industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate, government, and strategic partner organisations.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities through proactive business development activities.
• Promote executive education, postgraduate, and professional development programmes to prospective clients and partners.
• Build, manage, and expand a strong pipeline of opportunities and stakeholder relationships.
• Conduct presentations, networking meetings, webinars, and information sessions.
• Support partnership initiatives, sponsorship opportunities, and corporate engagement activities.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking functions to enhance market presence.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and produce regular activity and pipeline reports.
• Collaborate closely with marketing and recruitment teams to support enrolment targets and business objectives.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities within the education sector.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Communications, Education, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in Business Development, Account Management, Partnerships, Corporate Sales, or Recruitment.
• Strong experience building relationships with corporate and government stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to generate leads and convert opportunities into successful outcomes.
• Experience using CRM platforms and Microsoft Office tools.
• Knowledge of the UAE and GCC market is highly desirable.