Head of Business Development & Bids

Atlys, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in travel technology is seeking a seasoned professional to lead government acquisition efforts across visa and consular outsourcing services. This strategic role involves business development and bid management across the GCC and beyond. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in public-private partnerships and a proven track record in managing complex government bids. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build relationships with government stakeholders are essential.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in business development and bid management within visa outsourcing.
• Demonstrated success in winning government tenders or PPP contracts.

Responsibilities

• Identify and drive new opportunities with embassies and consulates.
• Lead end-to-end responses for public tenders and RFPs.
• Negotiate long-term agreements with diplomatic missions.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract Management

Public Procurement

Stakeholder Management

Multilingual Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree

Job description

*This role is open exclusively to candidates currently residing in the UAE.

At Atlys, we believe that the path to creating a more open world is by making travel efficient and accessible. We are addressing the biggest pain point for traveler's: visas. By automating the visa process, we aim to revolutionize global travel. Join us in building the future of travel technology and making global movement more seamless.

Building technology to increase global movement liquidity will be one of the most exciting developments in decades. If you are curious why the smartest people want to work at Atlys, read this post.

Who will you work with?

• Vishal, Mohak and of course, the rest of the jovial Atlys team.

We’re looking for a seasoned professional to lead our government acquisition efforts across visa and consular outsourcing services. This role demands deep ownership, you’ll be the primary driver of both business development and end-to-end bid execution, working cross-functionally with internal teams while owning external relationships.

Based in Dubai, this strategic role combines high-level relationship building, public sector sales, and hands-on bid management across the GCC, Africa, and beyond.

The ideal candidate has 20+ years of experience in government outsourcing, public-private partnerships (PPP), or diplomatic services, with a proven track record of winning and managing complex government bids

The Job

Business Development

• Identify and drive new opportunities with embassies, consulates, and ministries for visa and consular outsourcing.

• Build and nurture senior relationships with diplomatic missions and government stakeholders across target geographies.

• Lead strategic outreach, lead generation, and partner discussions with foreign missions.

• Provide competitive intelligence, identify regulatory trends, and shape market entry strategies.

• Represent the company at high-level diplomatic, government, and industry events.

Bid Management

• Lead end-to-end responses for public tenders, RFPs, and unsolicited proposals.

• Coordinate timelines, documentation, and compliance requirements across internal teams.

• Draft compelling technical and commercial proposals including pricing, SLAs, and delivery frameworks.

• Ensure adherence to public procurement protocols and diplomatic expectations.

• Maintain bid pipeline, track outcomes, and implement learnings for future submissions.

Strategic Partnerships & Contracting

• Lead negotiations for long-term agreements with diplomatic missions.

• Support post-award onboarding and implementation alongside operations and legal.

• Drive adoption of tech-enabled services such as e-visa, biometrics, digital verification, and AI-led support.

• Stay updated on global developments in visa tech, consular digitization, and cross-border mobility.

The ideal candidate

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Relations, Public Policy, or related fields.

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree preferred.

Experience

• 12+ years in business development and bid management within visa outsourcing, diplomatic services, or public sector contracting.

• Demonstrated success in winning government tenders or PPP contracts.

• Deep experience engaging with embassies, ministries, or multilateral institutions.

• Strong understanding of public procurement, compliance, and consular operations.

• Excellent writing, negotiation, and contract management skills.

• Organized, diplomatic, and able to manage complex stakeholder environments.

• Familiarity with visa processes, e-governance tools, and digital consular platforms.

Other Requirements

• Based in or open to relocating to Dubai.

• Open to frequent regional and international travel.

• Multilingual skills (Arabic, French, or regional languages) are a strong advantage.

How to apply?

Please upload your CV, along with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, and examples of government bids you have led or won.