Director, Middle East and Africa

Times Higher Education; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education consultancy is seeking a Director for the Middle East and Africa to oversee consultancy services and lead client engagement across the region. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in management consultancy, along with strong project management skills and deep knowledge of the MEA higher education landscape. This role requires excellent stakeholder management and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. This position is fully committed to fostering diversity and individuality in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Experience working in the MEA region with management consultancy or strategic advisory firms.
• Proven ability to manage and develop multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in business development and client relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Lead consultancy initiatives for the MEA region.
• Support business development efforts and marketing strategies.
• Manage the MEA consultancy sales pipeline and identify opportunities.

Skills

Management consultancy experience

Project management skills

Advanced data analytics capabilities

Client relationship management

Commercial acumen

Strong communication skills

Team management

Job description

Director, Middle East and Africa (Contractor)
Based in UAE
Competitive Salary

Note: This role is only open to candidates who already have the right to work in the UAE, including mandatory Residence Visa and valid Work Permit to work as a contractor.

The Director (MEA) role is a senior leadership position within Times Higher Education’s consultancy team and Data Analytics business unit, with ultimate responsibility for all consultancy project delivery and executive stakeholder management in the region. You will be expected to contribute to business development, product innovation and team leadership, supporting the broader optimization of our consultancy business with university, government and corporate clients. Whilst focused on the MEA region, you will work closely with the Managing Director and Directors for the APAC and UK/Europe regions to enable company growth and share responsibility for global consultancy performance and team culture.

With a background in management consultancy or strategic advisory, and a focus on the education sector, you will bring extensive experience of managing high value consultancy projects and have established networks within universities and government agencies, with trusted expert status. Advanced data analytics capabilities, project management skills and thorough familiarisation with the region’s diverse educational ambitions are essential for success in this role.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Act as the Consultancy Lead Director for the MEA region, providing strategic direction and oversight across the region.
• Support the THE commercial team in business development activities, including building the profile and visibility THE’s consultancy portfolio.
• Provide expert consultancy support to university, government and corporate clients based on advanced analytical modelling and knowledge of the MEA higher education market.
• Provide line management of the MEA consultancy team members based in the UAE, with scope to line manage other team members in the UK and Singapore.
• Manage the MEA consultancy sales pipeline, identifying gaps and developing strategies to strengthen future opportunities.
• Oversee MEA marketing strategies and the development of product collateral to support client engagement and brand positioning.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the MEA higher education landscape and position THE’s value proposition effectively within it.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience working for a management consultancy or strategic advisory firm in the MEA region with university and government clients.
• Experience in project delivery, business development and client relationship management within the higher education or consultancy sector.
• Strong understanding of the MEA higher education markets and competitive landscape, including government higher education strategy.
• Proven ability to manage and develop multidisciplinary teams.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing sales pipelines, marketing initiatives, and client acquisition strategies.
• Experience in data‑led consultancy or managing a data‑focused function.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly across the MEA region.
• Demonstrable experience in project leadership, including managing high‑value, international consultancy projects.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Experience and aptitude for people management, team development and fostering a cohesive team culture.

Desirable

• Experience leading cross‑functional product development initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate data insights into actionable strategies.
• Track record of innovation in consultancy or data‑informed product design.
• Experience of leading consultative sales and business development conversations with senior university decision‑makers.

You do You
You do You. With colleagues located around the world, we know that our individuality and diversity of experiences are our greatest strengths. That’s why we want THE to be a place where you are welcome to be who you want to be at work; where you can share whatever part of your life or self‑identity you want, without obligation or facing discrimination; and where all abilities and perspectives are recognised and accommodated.