Business Development Manager

confidential; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 112,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Key role in an international project

Build commercial function from scratch

Direct influence on strategy

Regular travel

Abu Dhabi location

Job summary

confidential, an international deep-tech startup in Abu Dhabi, focuses on catalyst technologies for refining and petrochemicals. The Business Development Manager will lead UAE commercial development, identify clients, engage senior decision-makers, launch pilot projects, and convert them into contracts.

This hands-on role has no pre-existing sales funnel; you’ll build the function from scratch, shape strategy, travel regularly, and collaborate with partners to drive growth.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with catalysts for refining processes and licensors/manufacturers.
• Understanding of refinery and petrochemical plant processes and decision-making.
• Experience working in the UAE.
• Background in Business Development, Sales, Commercial, or Strategy.
• Proven experience launching a new direction or business line.
• Experience selling complex B2B solutions to large industrial clients and long sales cycles.
• Ability to negotiate with senior executives independently.
• Fluent professional English.
• Willingness to relocate to Abu Dhabi and work from the UAE full-time.
• Willingness to travel regularly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the UAE go-to-market strategy.
• Independently identify potential clients, partners, and new opportunities.
• Build relationships and negotiate with senior executives of major industrial, oil & gas, and petrochemical companies.
• Build and manage the sales pipeline.
• Launch pilot projects and convert them into first commercial contracts.
• Develop key accounts and strategic partnerships.
• Participate in negotiations with government bodies and industrial institutions in the region.
• Contribute to business plans, financial models, and commercial strategy.
• Contribute to preparing materials for investors and strategic partners.
• Represent the company in meetings with clients, partners, and other key market players.
• Continuously engage with the market, analyze new opportunities, and travel regularly for business.

Skills

Catalysts experience

Business development

Negotiation with executives

English fluency

UAE work experience

Sales/BD for large industrial clients

Relocation willingness

Job description

Business Development Manager - Catalysts & Petrochemical Technologies

About the Company

We are an international deep-tech startup being built in Abu Dhabi, registered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The company localizes and adapts catalyst technologies for refining and petrochemical applications, tailored to the specific needs of clients in the UAE. Our approach combines advanced computational methods and AI to accelerate catalyst development and selection. We are at an early stage: the legal entity is registered, the team is being formed, the technology product is being developed, and we are preparing our first investment round. This is a rare opportunity to join a business from the very beginning and shape its direction from day one.

About the Role

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to lead the company's commercial development in the UAE. This is a hands-on, early-stage role - there is no established commercial structure, no ready-made sales funnel, and no large team. You will be responsible for identifying clients and partners, engaging senior decision-makers at major industrial companies, building long-term relationships, launching pilot projects, and converting them into commercial contracts. This is not a classic sales role based on an existing pipeline. We are looking for someone who can independently identify opportunities, quickly grasp a complex technical product, speak the same language as technical specialists, and build relationships at the top-management level.

Who We Are Looking For

A self-driven and proactive professional who is excited about building a new business direction from scratch — not just operating within an already established system. Someone comfortable in a dynamic environment where strategy evolves and processes are built as we go.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's go-to-market strategy for the UAE.
• Independently identify potential clients, partners, and new business opportunities.
• Build relationships and negotiate with senior executives of major industrial, oil & gas, and petrochemical companies.
• Build and manage the sales pipeline.
• Launch pilot projects and convert them into first commercial contracts.
• Develop key accounts and strategic partnerships.
• Participate in negotiations with government bodies and industrial institutions in the region.
• Contribute to business plans, financial models, and commercial strategy.
• Contribute to preparing materials for investors and strategic partners.
• Represent the company in meetings with clients, partners, and other key market players.
• Continuously engage with the market, analyze new opportunities, and travel regularly for business.

What We Offer

• A key role in an international deep-tech project at an early stage.
• The opportunity to build the company's commercial function from scratch.
• Direct influence on strategy and business growth.
• Work with major industrial companies in the UAE.
• An international working environment and a high level of autonomy.
• Primary location: Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Regular business travel.
• Fixed salary of AED 10,000-15,000 per month plus performance-based incentives. Terms are discussed individually.

Must-Have Requirements

• Hands-on experience with catalysts for refining processes: selection, adaptation, application, and work with licensors and catalyst manufacturers (Haldor Topsoe, Axens, Clariant, UOP, etc.).
• Understanding of refineries and petrochemical plants: technological processes and how decisions are made.
• Experience working in the UAE.
• Background in Business Development, Sales, Commercial, or Strategy.
• Proven experience in business development, sales of complex B2B solutions, or launching a new business line.
• Experience launching a new direction from scratch.
• Experience working with large industrial B2B clients and complex, long-cycle deals.
• Experience independently negotiating with senior executives of large companies.
• Ability to independently identify business opportunities and drive them to concrete results.
• Fluent professional English.
• Willingness to build processes independently and work in a dynamic environment.
• Willingness to relocate to Abu Dhabi and work from the UAE on a permanent basis — not just occasional business trips.
• Willingness to travel regularly.

Nice to Have

• Working knowledge of Russian - the team and several partners are Russian-speaking.
• Professional contacts within major industrial, oil & gas, and petrochemical companies in the region.
• Experience working with ADNOC, Borouge, QAFCO, and other major industrial players.
• Experience interacting with government bodies and industrial institutions.
• Experience with AI, Deep Tech, or other complex technology products.
• Experience developing business models, financial planning, and preparing investment materials.
• Experience raising investment or working with investors and strategic partners.