Business Development Manager

Maestra; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Maestra is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager in Dubai to win profitable new business and grow strategic accounts across exhibitions and events. You will lead from prospecting through proposal, negotiation and handover, collaborating with Estimation, Design, Project Management, Production, Procurement, Finance and Operations.

You will build relationships with senior client decision-makers, manage multi-disciplinary bids, and represent Maestra at industry events to drive revenue

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of business development, sales or account management experience in exhibitions/events/related industries.
• Demonstrated track record of winning new business and growing repeat client accounts.
• Strong understanding of project-based B2B sales, proposals, quotations, tenders, contracts, payment terms, margins and risk.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute a targeted business development plan aligned with Maestra’s priorities and revenue goals.
• Identify and pursue opportunities with event agencies, organisers, experiential agencies, corporate clients and partners.
• Develop a strong pipeline through market mapping, networking, referrals, events, outreach and partnerships.
• Qualify opportunities based on client fit, scope, timing, budget, decision process and feasibility.
• Lead client meetings, capability presentations, site visits and post-project reviews.

Skills

BD pipeline management

Client relationship building

Negotiation

Proposal development

Stakeholder management

Tools

CRM systems

Proposal/Tender tools

Job description

We're hiring an experienced Business Development Manager to join Maestra. This is a client-facing commercial role focused on winning profitable new business and developing strategic accounts across exhibition and events. You will take opportunities from initial prospecting and brief qualification through proposal, negotiation and commercial handover, working closely with our Estimation, Design, Project Management, Production, Procurement, Finance and Operations teams.

What you'll do

• Build and execute a targeted business development plan aligned with Maestra’s commercial priorities, revenue goals and operational capacity.
• Identify and pursue opportunities with event agencies, exhibition organisers, experiential agencies, corporate clients and strategic partners.
• Develop a strong pipeline through market mapping, networking, referrals, industry events, proactive outreach and partnerships.
• Qualify opportunities based on client fit, project scope, timing, budget, decision process, delivery feasibility, risk and margin potential.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client decision makers and grow selected accounts to increase repeat business and long-term value.
• Lead client meetings, capability presentations, site visits, brief clarification sessions and post-project reviews.
• Coordinate bid/no-bid assessments and proposal development with Estimation, Design, Project Management, Production, Procurement, Finance and Operations.
• Prepare and present compelling proposals, tender submissions and commercial responses that clearly communicate Maestra’s value.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering scope, price, payment terms, programme, exclusions, variations and contractual clarifications within delegated authority.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and provide clear pipeline, conversion and forecast updates.
• Ensure a complete commercial handover to delivery teams and remain engaged where required to support change control, upselling and client issue resolution.
• Represent Maestra professionally at industry events, networking forums, client meetings and site engagements.

What we're looking for

• 5–8 years of business development, sales or account management experience, with substantial exposure to exhibitions, events, experiential production, fabrication, fit-out or a related project-based industry.
• A demonstrable track record of winning new business, managing a sales pipeline and developing repeat client accounts.
• Strong understanding of project-based B2B sales, proposals, quotations, tenders, contracts, payment terms, margins, change control and project risk.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary bids and working with design, estimation, production and project-delivery teams.
• Excellent presentation, communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.