Principal - Business Development (Merger & Acquisition)

A boutique advisory firm; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A boutique advisory firm in Dubai is seeking a Principal in Business Development for Merger & Acquisition. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience, blending technical expertise with sales acumen. This role involves driving business growth, managing client relationships, and leading a team in financial due diligence. The firm offers a culture that rewards initiative and performance, making it a great opportunity for a self-driven professional.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of relevant experience in transaction advisory.
• Demonstrated success in origination and business development.

Responsibilities

• Drive business growth and market expansion.
• Lead complex financial due diligence assignments.
• Manage and grow a team of 10-15 professionals.

Skills

Sales

Business Development

Client Engagement

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position – Principal-Business Development (Merger & Acquisition)
Experience Required - 10+ years
Location – Dubai

Overview:

As a leader setting up and scaling the Financial Due Diligence and Transaction Support practice, you will drive not only delivery excellence but also business growth, market expansion, and strategic relationship management. This role is ideal for someone who blends technical due diligence expertise with a strong flair for sales, business development, and client engagement.

You will spearhead the firm’s efforts to establish a strong advisory footprint across the Middle East, build high-trust relationships with institutional investors and key stakeholders, and take ownership of practice-level revenue, client growth, and team development. This is an opportunity to create and grow something of your own, within a culture that rewards initiative, ownership, and performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sales & Business Development

• · Own the growth agenda: develop and execute a regional business development strategy aligned with firm goals.
• · Actively network with private equity firms, sovereign funds, HNIs, family offices, investment banks, and corporate CXOs to generate leads and originate deals.
• · Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of engagements, nurturing opportunities from initial conversations through closure.
• · Develop targeted pitch materials, capability decks, and tailored proposals for prospects across industries and geographies.
• · Lead discussions at industry forums, round tables, and client events to build visibility and credibility.
• · Track BD metrics (pipeline velocity, win ratios, conversion rates) and report progress against revenue targets.

2. Client Engagement & Relationship Management

• · Serve as the face of the practice for key clients — from deal initiation through final reporting and post-transaction support.
• · Understand each client’s investment thesis, risk appetite, and decision-making priorities to tailor your approach and delivery.
• · Lead client meetings, provide strategic counsel, and ensure ongoing satisfaction through proactive communication and value delivery.
• · Cultivate long-term client relationships with a focus on repeat business, cross-sell opportunities, and trusted advisory status.
• · Resolve challenges swiftly, manage escalations diplomatically, and ensure that delivery meets or exceeds client expectations.
• · Set up and scale the Financial Due Diligence & Transaction Support practice, starting in Dubai and expanding across the region.
• · Take full ownership of the team’s P&L, budgeting, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• · Define delivery standards, implement robust review mechanisms, and build knowledge capital within the practice.

4. Financial Due Diligence Execution

• · Lead complex FDD assignments across sectors, overseeing all aspects of planning, analysis, reporting, and client communication.
• · Review and analyze financial statements, performance metrics, working capital trends, and accounting policies.
• · Identify deal risks, red flags, and commercial drivers to support client decision-making.
• Collaborate with tax, legal, and operational experts to present a unified view of transaction risks and opportunities.
• · Manage, coach, and grow a team of 10–15 professionals, creating an environment of learning, accountability, and high performance.
• · Delegate effectively while retaining oversight on quality, timelines, and team development.
• · Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and support upskilling initiatives.
• Promote best practices, foster team morale, and build a cohesive culture aligned with the firm’s values.

Desired Candidate Profile

-Chartered Accountant (CA) with 10–15 years of relevant experience in transaction advisory, ideally in Big 4 or similar environments.
-Demonstrated success in origination, business development, and sales strategy.
-Proven track record of owning client relationships, closing deals, and scaling new business verticals.
-Strong leadership presence, decision-making skills, and financial acumen.
-High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
-Self-driven, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

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