Commercial Director - Executive Education M/F

SKEMA Business School; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

SKEMA Business School in Dubai seeks a senior leader to develop and implement the commercial strategy for Executive Education, coordinating with pre-sales and marketing teams.

You will lead a commercial team, manage budgets, analyze markets in UAE, GCC and international markets, build strategic partnerships, and enhance SKEMA's Executive Education visibility through events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial development, business development, or key account management.
• Bachelor's degree + 5 years (Master’s level or equivalent).
• Proven experience in the Executive Education, consulting, training, or professional services sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial teams in an international or multicultural setting.
• Strong business acumen and commercial flair.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving mindset.
• Leadership and team development skills.
• Autonomy and sense of responsibility.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the commercial action plan to achieve revenue and margin targets.
• Establish and manage the operating budget of the commercial department.
• Conduct market analysis in the UAE, GCC region and other international markets.
• Collaborate with marketing to create campaigns and tools to attract new clients and strengthen SKEMA’s brand.
• Develop and manage relationships with strategic partners and key accounts.
• Enhance visibility of Executive Education activities and participate in events as a company representative.
• Collaborate with alumni relations on Executive Education collaborations.
• Lead and manage a commercial team and support sales in complex negotiations.
• Define, track, and analyze KPIs and report via CRM with dashboards.
• Adjust the commercial plan as needed to hit revenue and margin goals.

Skills

Business development

Key account management

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Data-driven decisions

Cross-cultural sensitivity

Communication skills

Team development

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor's degree + 5 years experience

Job description

SKEMA Business School is a global teaching and research institution that prepares students to meet the challenges of a globalized, multicultural, and responsible business world.

A pioneer in developing an international strategy, the school is present on 5 continents with 10 campuses across 7 countries (South Africa, Brazil, Canada, China, United Arab Emirates, United States, and France).

Joining SKEMA means putting your talents at the service of a high-impact mission: creating a cutting-edge education model to develop the potential of each of our students, corporate partners, and staff!

Let's talk about your future role!

Within the Corporate Office of SKEMA Business School, you are responsible for leading the development and implementation of the commercial strategy for Executive Education, in coordination with the various teams within the department, including pre-sales and marketing teams.

As such, your main responsibilities will include the following:

• Define and implement the commercial action plan to ensure achievement of revenue and operational margin targets.
• Establish and manage the operating budget of the commercial department (human and financial resources), aligned with the company’s budgeting process.
• Conduct market analysis to identify business development opportunities in the UAE, GCC region, and other international markets.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create targeted promotional campaigns and impactful communication tools to attract new clients and strengthen SKEMA’s brand in the Executive Education market.
• Develop and manage relationships with strategic partners and/or key accounts.
• Enhance the visibility of Executive Education activities and promote the SKEMA Executive Education brand: organize and/or participate in trade fairs, conferences, and other professional events as a company representative; contribute to and implement company partner loyalty programs.
• Collaborate with the alumni relations team to explore Executive Education collaboration opportunities, such as tailored lifelong learning programs
• Lead and manage a commercial team.
• Act as a reference point and support for the sales team, including participating in fieldwork for complex cases or negotiation phases.
• Define, track, and analyze key performance indicators.
• Ensure regular reporting using the company’s CRM system and the creation of performance dashboards.
• Adjust the commercial action plan as necessary and propose optimization strategies to achieve revenue and margin goals.

Your strengths and little extras

• Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial development, business development, or key account management.
• Bachelor's degree + 5 years (Master’s level or equivalent)
• Proven experience in the Executive Education, consulting, training, or professional services sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial teams in an international or multicultural
• Strong business acumen and commercial flair
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving mindset
• Leadership and team development skills
• Autonomy and sense of responsibility
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and adaptability
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making

Language Requirements :

• English: Fluent (C1 level or higher)
• Additional languages: Arabic and/or French advantageous

Additional Information:

• Travel required. Participation in events and/or evening activities expected.

SKEMA is committed to reviewing every application with the same care, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, or disability.