Business Development Lead

Collinson Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Collinson is a global loyalty and benefits company seeking an experienced Business Development Lead to drive growth across the MEA region. You will own the full sales cycle—from identifying strategic opportunities to negotiations and major commercial agreements—with a focus on banks, financial institutions, card issuers, payments networks, travel and telecoms partners.

The role requires a strong network in the MEA financial services sector, a proven track record of winning new business, and the

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience selling products or services to major Financial Services organisations.
• Demonstrable track record of winning new business and exceeding sales targets.
• Strong consultative selling and C-level influencing skills.
• Established network across the MEA financial services sector.
• Experience managing complex sales cycles, strategic accounts and large RFPs.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to develop compelling propositions and business cases.
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial and results-oriented approach.
• Experience in loyalty, consumer benefits, travel, retail banking or payment cards would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sector-focused go-to-market strategies across MEA.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of strategic new business opportunities.
• Identify and engage senior decision-makers and C-level stakeholders.
• Develop relationships with banks, financial institutions, card issuers, payment networks, travel businesses and telecommunications companies.
• Lead major RFI and RFP processes, including opportunity qualification, win strategy, client presentations and negotiations.
• Develop commercial propositions and pricing strategies in collaboration with Finance and internal stakeholders.
• Work closely with Product, Operations, Legal and Account Management teams to ensure successful implementation and sustainable client relationships.
• Represent Collinson at relevant industry events and strengthen the company's profile across the region.
• Maintain accurate pipeline reporting and CRM activity.

Skills

B2B sales

C-level selling

MEA networks

Negotiation

Strategic partnerships

Job description

Collinson is a global loyalty and benefits company with more than 2,000 employees across 20 locations worldwide. We work with many of the world's leading brands across financial services, travel and retail, helping them acquire, engage and retain their most valuable customers.

Our solutions include Priority Pass, as well as loyalty, travel experiences, insurance and commerce solutions delivered through partnerships with leading financial institutions, airlines, hotels and other global brands.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping Collinson's growth across the MEA region and to build strategic partnerships with some of the region's most influential organisations.

Collinson is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Business Development Lead to lead strategic new business growth across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

This is a high-profile opportunity for an accomplished business development professional with a strong network across Financial Services, Payments, Travel or Telecommunications.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the complete sales process, from identifying and developing strategic opportunities through to negotiation and securing major commercial agreements.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute sector-focused go-to-market strategies across MEA
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of strategic new business opportunities
• Identify and engage senior decision-makers and C-level stakeholders
• Develop relationships with banks, financial institutions, card issuers, payment networks, travel businesses and telecommunications companies
• Lead major RFI and RFP processes, including opportunity qualification, win strategy, client presentations and negotiations
• Develop commercial propositions and pricing strategies in collaboration with Finance and internal stakeholders
• Work closely with Product, Operations, Legal and Account Management teams to ensure successful implementation and sustainable client relationships
• Represent Collinson at relevant industry events and strengthen the company's profile across the region
• Maintain accurate pipeline reporting and CRM activity

About you

We are looking for a proven business development professional with:

• 5+ years' experience selling products or services to major Financial Services organisations
• A demonstrable track record of winning new business and exceeding sales targets
• Strong consultative selling and C-level influencing skills
• An established network across the MEA financial services sector
• Experience managing complex sales cycles, strategic accounts and large RFPs
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to develop compelling propositions and business cases
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
• A proactive, entrepreneurial and results-oriented approach

Experience in loyalty, consumer benefits, travel, retail banking or payment cards would be particularly advantageous.