Business Development Manager MEA

Assai Software; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 120,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Business Development Manager, where you will lead sales initiatives across the Middle East and Africa. This role offers the chance to develop strategic sales plans, drive revenue growth, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. You will leverage your expertise in SaaS and enterprise sales to identify new market opportunities and build high-performing sales organizations. With a focus on cultural intelligence and relationship management, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Bonus based on KPIs

Informal culture

Team spirit environment

Qualifications

• 10+ years of sales experience with a focus on SaaS and enterprise software.
• Proven track record in building high-performing sales teams and exceeding targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic sales plans for the MEA region to drive revenue growth.
• Lead cross-regional sales efforts and optimize sales processes.

Skills

Sales Leadership

Strategic Planning

Revenue Growth

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Cultural Intelligence

Enterprise Sales

Data-Driven Decision Making

Relationship Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

Tools

Salesforce

Power BI

Job description

About Assai Software

We aim to control your legacy. At Assai, we believe history is the foundation for the future. Since 1996, we’ve been helping industries worldwide control their critical data and manage complexity with precision. Inspired by the Italian word assai, meaning “just that little extra,” we go beyond the ordinary to turn much into more and efficiency into excellence.

We exist to empower companies in energy and construction to take control of their projects and operations – from initial planning to final delivery and the maintenance of sites and assets. In a world where every decision counts, we ensure your efforts leave a lasting impact and are remembered for the right reasons.

The Role

Due to the extraordinary growth of the company, Assai is looking for an exceptional sales leader to join the team as Business Development Manager of Middle East & Africa Sales. In addition to passion, skills, and experience, you will need to have a consistent track record of exceeding revenue targets and in building and leading high-performing sales organizations. You will be responsible for developing strategic sales plans based on company goals, promoting sales growth, and customer satisfaction in the MEA region.

Responsibilities

1. Regional Strategy & Market Expansion
   • Develop and execute strategic sales plans tailored to the MEA region, aligned with global business objectives.
   • Identify and scale new market opportunities across the Middle East and Africa, including localization and channel strategies.
   • Stay informed on regional business dynamics, cultural nuances, and regulatory landscapes.
2. Revenue Growth & Pipeline Management
   • Drive consistent growth in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).
   • Build, manage, and forecast a high-performing sales pipeline across key verticals (Energy, Infrastructure, Oil & Gas).
   • Achieve quarterly and annual revenue targets through both new business development and account expansion.
3. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
   • Lead and inspire cross-regional sales efforts, aligning with Marketing, Product, and Customer Success teams.
   • Implement and optimize sales processes, resource plans, and reporting structures to support growth.
   • Serve as a strategic partner to the VP Business Development EMEA in driving MEA regional objectives.
4. Enterprise Sales & Partnerships
   • Execute high-value B2B sales cycles with enterprise clients, including deal negotiation and long-term relationship management.
   • Represent Assai in C-level meetings, industry events, and with strategic partners and stakeholders.
   • Identify and close upsell, cross-sell, and partnership opportunities.
5. Analytics, Forecasting & Reporting
   • Use Salesforce, Power BI, and other CRM / BI tools to analyze pipeline health, lead performance, and ROI.
   • Monitor competitive landscape and collaborate with Lead Generation & Product teams to refine GTM approaches.
   • Provide actionable insights through data-driven decision-making and KPI tracking.
6. Operational Excellence & Governance
   • Navigate complex commercial negotiations, including SaaS contracts, procurement, and compliance (e.g., GDPR).
   • Manage regional business development budgets and optimize spend for maximum growth impact.
   • Maintain detailed and accurate reporting for leadership visibility and strategic planning.

Competencies

1. Regional & Cultural Intelligence
   • MEA Market Expertise - Deep understanding of regional business practices, regulatory frameworks, and buyer behavior across Middle East & Africa.
   • Cultural Adaptability - High Cultural Intelligence (CQ) with the ability to build trust and relationships across diverse, multicultural environments.
   • Go-to-Market Localization - Tailors messaging, sales approaches, and strategy to align with local market nuances.
2. Strategic Sales & SaaS Acumen
   • SaaS Business Model Mastery - Deep knowledge of subscription-based software models, ARR / MRR growth strategies, and the SaaS customer lifecycle.
   • Enterprise Sales Proficiency - Skilled in navigating long, complex sales cycles, stakeholder mapping, and strategic account management.
   • Data-Driven Decision Making - Uses CRM, BI tools, and KPIs to track pipeline health, conversion rates, and regional performance.
3. Leadership & Execution
   • Strategic Thinking - Sees the big picture, connects tactical actions to long-term goals, and makes decisions aligned with broader business strategy.
   • Execution Excellence - Detail-oriented with strong discipline in follow-through, operational planning, and timely delivery of objectives.
   • Hands-On Leadership - Proactive and self-motivated with a strong “roll-up-your-sleeves” mentality to drive initiatives forward.
4. Relationship Management & Communication
   • Executive Presence - Builds trusted relationships at the C-level and represents Assai with professionalism and credibility.
   • Cross-Functional Collaboration - Works fluidly with teams across Sales, Product, Marketing, Customer Success, and Legal.
   • Effective Communicator - Clear, candid, and persuasive communicator, both internally and externally, across regions and cultures.
5. Growth Mindset & Integrity
   • Results-Oriented - Internally driven to exceed targets and optimize impact through smart, scalable strategies.
   • Integrity & Accountability - Operates with high ethical standards and takes ownership of outcomes and decisions.
   • Resilience & Agility - Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong sense of adaptability and optimism.

Working Conditions

Assai Software Services offers a diverse and flexible job in a growing international organization with good future perspectives. At work, we have an informal culture with a team spirit and hands-on environment, where good employment conditions apply. Assai is an innovative organization where you have the opportunity to shape your own tasks and responsibilities, taking the organization's objectives into account. The job takes place in our office in the UAE, and we are looking for a full-time employee (40 hours).

Additional Information

Work location is Abu Dhabi, UAE.

You will need to live in and have a work permit for the UAE. We will not accept applications without this requirement.

Full-time employment (40 hours per week);

Possibility to work partly from home (40%);

Competitive salary, based on qualifications and experience.

Bonus component based on KPI’s.

Our Values

We foster empowerment and like to stimulate a ‘can do’ mentality by also being supportive of each other and our customers. By closely working together, we are continuously looking for improvements, which will support our effectiveness in our roles.

10+ years’ experience in sales and experience building and running front-line sales delivering recurring revenue for SaaS enterprise software companies.

Bachelor's degree preferred, MBA a plus.

Demonstrated success scaling revenue in a multi-region or global capacity, with specific focus on MEA markets.

Strong understanding of the SaaS customer lifecycle, subscription models, and cloud-native technologies.

Experience negotiating complex deals and working with enterprise clients, procurement teams, and legal counsel across jurisdictions.

Relevant software industry experience in Engineering, Construction, Oil and Gas, Infrastructure, Energy and Manufacturing, or enterprise software.

History of consistently meeting/exceeding sales quotas personally and as a sales leader.

Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-cultural communication skills.