Business Development Executive - UAE National

The University of Manchester - Dubai; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Manchester - Dubai seeks a proactive Business Development Executive to advance corporate engagement, recruitment, and partnerships across the Middle East. You will support growth in Executive Education and collaborate with regional partners to meet recruitment targets.

Role requires strong presentation and negotiation skills, willingness to travel within the GCC, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events and promotions.

Qualifications

• Fluency in both English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• 3–5 years of experience in Business Development, corporate partnerships, government engagement, or B2B sales (GCC/KSA experience preferred).
• Proven track record of developing and managing senior-level corporate and government relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage corporate recruitment and partnerships across the Middle East region.
• Plan, organize and execute recruitment events and corporate engagement activities.
• Analyse CRM data, pipeline reports, and campaign performance metrics to inform strategy.
• Liaise with UK teams on Executive Education updates and ensure stakeholder alignment.
• Support CSR initiatives and maintain strong relationships with partners.

Skills

English fluency

Arabic fluency

Business development

Government engagement

Negotiation skills

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Data analytics tools

Job description

The person will assist in Recruitment & Business development activities for The University of Manchester

in the Middle East Region, which includes the Global MBA programmes as well as all other programmes

offered by The University of Manchester, with a focus on Executive Education Short Business courses.

This individual will support all recruitment and marketing activities by ensuring they are competitive and

supportive of the University’s brand and the Centre’s objectives and recruitment targets as a member of

The University of Manchester, will support the Student Recruitment Manager in general Centre projects,

including CSR activities and other initiatives, grow partnerships and increase business from corporate

partners whether sponsored or non- sponsored, and recommend sponsorships, network, attend business

events and bring on board new accounts to increase lead generation & student enrolment. Will be

required to work evenings and weekends in support of the University’s events and other promotional

activities. The Business Development Executive will be responsible for driving corporate and government

engagement to support student recruitment and partnership growth. The role focuses on developing

strategic relationships across corporate and public sector entities, identifying new business opportunities,

and promoting the University’s programmes through targeted outreach, presentations, and partnership

initiatives.

The postholder will contribute to revenue generation, market expansion, and brand visibility while

ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Engagement

• To achieve revenue and students’ targets from corporate recruitment and KPIs as set by Student Recruitment Manager
• Assist in initiating and managing corporate relations with target clients, STPs and Centre stakeholders in the region.
• Generate and grow corporate business opportunities in the region, contributing to the identification of target clients.
• Support CSR activities by Developing strong relationships with schools, educational consultants, and other third-party agents. Identifying the right sponsors for each initiative.
• Represent the Middle East Centre at community and networking events.
• Maintain excellent relationships with existing account base and expand relationships where possible.
• Document and complete all necessary paperwork for all Strategic Talent Partnerships
• Coordinate the signing of new MOUs to expand our STP business, which includes the preparation of contracts and signing ceremonies.
• Recommend Sponsorships or exhibitions that will serve the objectives of business development, attend them, and build relationships with key stakeholders.

Student Recruitment Responsibilities

• Take an active role in planning, executing, managing, and measuring all recruitment, branding and corporate engagement plans and activities at the Middle East Centre.
• Research and analyze market trends, competitor offerings, demographics, and other information that affects recruitment/corporate strategies.
• Plan, organize, execute and attend recruitment events and initiatives across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
• Support all programmes, student recruitment and lead generation plans, activities and efforts
• Liaise with UK teams on updates on Executive Education and keep key stakeholders updated and informed on progress.
• Improve, customize, and add required features to the current systems which ensures streamline and efficient functionality and adaptability.
• Ensuring the recruitment workflow along with implementing processes as needed
• Assist in organising recruitment events and attend them to facilitate their success.
• Prepare and deliver information sessions and webinars.
• Handle and follow up on the enquirers generated for student recruitment from different activities and maintain a good pipeline of applications, provide counselling to enquirers as and when needed.
• Assist the student recruitment team in meeting their target and providing necessary support to help them meet the center’s target.

Data Analysis Responsibilities

• Introduce specialist tools to extract and standardize various forms of data.
• Manage and maintain all data-related history and queries that has to be readily available when needed for future planning purposes.
• Analyze, identify, and interpret data trends that could be very useful for establishing future predictions and favorable outcomes.
• Competitor analysis and market analysis
• Implement processes and systems to ensure that the current data is accurate and more efficient.
• CRM management and data analysis
• Produce and compile reports and charts that illustrate popular trends within data to nonspecialists.
• Present information generated from data to the team leaders and Centre Director

Other Required Duties

• Execute a full audit on the current systems and procedures.
• Introduce and implement corrective measures where needed and highlight vulnerable areas within the department.
• Support the Centre Social Responsibility initiatives.
• Other projects as assigned by the Centre Director.
• Counsel prospects, focusing on conversion of high-quality applications against targets.
• Monitor and continually explore ways to improve the conversion ratio.
• Review marketing literature (brochures, press releases, newsletter etc.) and make sure that our presence at corporate partners is in line with brand guidelines and requirements.
• Maintain, manage, and build good relationships with our internal departments, and agencies.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Fluency in both English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• 3–5 years of experience in Business Development, corporate partnerships, government engagement, or B2B sales (GCC/KSA experience preferred).
• Proven track record of developing and managing senior-level corporate and government relationships.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Willingness to travel across the GCC region and flexibility to work beyond standard business hours when required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage workload independently.
• High level of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential information, with an understanding of data protection requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in relation to reporting, systems, and performance optimisation.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Self-motivated with a proactive, positive “can-do” attitude.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to continuous personal and professional development.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience within higher education, executive education, professional services, or a consultative
• Experience analysing CRM data, pipeline reports, and campaign performance metrics to inform business development strategy.
• Understanding of the regional corporate and government landscape within the GCC.