Partnership Manager-MENA

Shufti; Dubai; On-site; AED 260,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Shufti is seeking a strategic Partnership Manager to lead and expand our network of channel, technology and strategic partners across the MENA region, including UAE, KSA, Egypt, and more. You will identify, onboard, and manage partnerships that drive revenue and broaden our AI-powered identity verification solutions.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in partnerships or business development in SaaS/RegTech/fintech, strong cross-functional collaboration, and fluency in English; Arabic is highly

Qualifications

• 5+ years in partnerships, business development, or strategic alliances in SaaS/RegTech/fintech, MENA focus.
• Proven track record of initiating and managing high-impact partnerships across the MENA region.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to negotiate and structure partnership agreements regionally.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder management across diverse teams.
• Experience working across international time zones and culturally diverse teams.
• Familiarity with sales & marketing tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, partner portals).
• Fluency in English is required; fluency in Arabic is highly preferred for regional coverage; knowledge of French beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop the MENA ecosystem by identifying, evaluating, and securing new strategic partnerships including channel resellers, tech alliances, system integrators, and industry influencers.
• Own the full partner lifecycle from outreach and onboarding to enablement and long-term relationship management tailored to MENA partners.
• Coordinate with sales, marketing, legal, and product to align partnership strategies with regional goals.
• Lead joint GTM initiatives with partners, including co-marketing, bundled offerings, and co-selling for the MENA market.
• Monitor and optimize partner performance metrics, sales impact, and ROI in the region.
• Represent Shufti at regional events, partner summits, and industry conferences across MENA.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory developments and market dynamics in MENA (CB UAE, SAMA, MENAFATF).

Skills

Partnership development

Ecosystem strategy

SaaS/RegTech

KYC/AML/fintech

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation

Strategic mindset

English fluency

Arabic fluency (preferred)

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Partner portals

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Partnership Manager to lead and expand our network of channel, technology, & strategic partners across the MENA region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan). This role will be instrumental in identifying, onboarding, and managing partnerships that drive revenue, expand our market reach, & enhance the value of our AI-powered identity verification & compliance solutions in this high-growth region.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in partnership development, ecosystem strategy, and experience working with SaaS, RegTech, KYC/AML, or fintech companies, specifically within the MENA context. A proven ability to build win-win partner relationships & operate cross-functionally across sales, product, & marketing teams is essential.

Company Overview

Shufti is a global identity verification & compliance platform, helping organizations meet KYC, AML, & regulatory requirements using AI-driven technology. We serve clients in industries such as fintech, crypto, banking, e-commerce, & more, ensuring secure & seamless digital interactions in over 240+ countries & territories, with a rapidly growing presence across the MENA region.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the MENA Ecosystem: Identify, evaluate, & secure new strategic partnerships in the region, including channel resellers, technology alliances, system integrators, & industry influencers.
• Own the Full Partner Lifecycle: Manage the partner lifecycle from outreach & onboarding to enablement & long-term relationship management, specifically tailored to MENA partners.
• Internal Alignment: Collaborate with internal stakeholders (sales, marketing, legal, product) to align partnership strategies with business goals & regional nuances.
• Drive Joint GTM: Develop joint go-to-market (GTM) initiatives with partners, including co-marketing, bundled offerings, & co-selling strategies that resonate in the MENA market.
• Performance Management: Monitor & optimize partner performance metrics, sales impact, & ROI across the region.
• Regional Representation: Represent Shufti at regional events, partner summits, & industry conferences throughout the MENA region.
• Market Intelligence: Maintain a deep understanding of the competitive landscape, industry trends, & regional market dynamics specific to the MENA region, including regulatory developments such as CBUAE regulations, SAMA guidelines, & MENAFATF AML/KYC requirements.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or strategic alliances, preferably within SaaS, RegTech, cybersecurity, fintech, or compliance industries, with a clear focus on the MENA market.
• Track Record: Proven track record of initiating & managing high-impact partnerships across the MENA region.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial acumen & ability to negotiate & structure partnership agreements in a regional context.
• Relationship Skills: Excellent relationship-building, communication, & stakeholder management skills, with experience working across culturally diverse teams.
• Global Collaboration: Experience working across international time zones & culturally diverse teams.
• Tech Stack: Familiarity with sales & marketing tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, partner portals).
• Strategic Mindset: Strategic mindset with strong analytical & problem-solving abilities.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English is required; fluency in Arabic is highly preferred for effective regional market coverage. Knowledge of French is a plus for North African markets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Location: Based in the MENA region (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt) or with extensive experience in the market.
• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the fintech, crypto, or banking regulatory landscapes in key MENA countries, including CBUAE regulations, SAMA guidelines, & MENAFATF AML/KYC requirements.
• Scalability: Prior involvement in building or scaling a partnership function in an emerging market.
• Regulatory Understanding: Knowledge of MENA regulatory frameworks including CBUAE, SAMA, MENAFATF, & regional compliance requirements.