Regional Business Development Manager

International Schools Partnership; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization in Dubai seeks a Regional Commercial Development Manager to enhance non-tuition fee revenues through event management and partnerships. You will work with multiple teams to optimize facility usage and engage the community, requiring over three years of relevant experience. The role involves strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and fostering a commercial mindset across operations. If you have a strong background in events and financial oversight, this position offers a unique opportunity in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Bonus Plan up to 4 months dependent on KPI delivery

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in event management, commercial coordination, or venue operations.
• English is mandatory; Arabic is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of FP&A in optimizing profitability through increased facility utilization.
• Plan, promote, and deliver ancillary revenue-generating events across the region.
• Collaborate with various teams to identify short-term revenue opportunities.

Skills

Event management

Commercial coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

The ISP Regional Commercial Development Manager role supports the Regional Head of FP&A and is responsible for ensuring the optimisation of all non-tuition fee revenue in the Middle East region. This will be achieved through increased utilisation of facilities during and out of school hours, as well as enhancing and improving the financial operations and governance of the school environment. The role will oversee event planning and operations, and develop programs that engage participants whilst also increasing engagement, enrolments and profitability by promoting the ASA programmes within the school and local area.

Role Type: 12-month Contract, 40 hours per week with flexibility for events

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Wellbeing and safety are essential for learners and learning. We are consistent in identifying safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting on concerns. Treat everyone with care and respect. Operate effectively. Are financially responsible. Learn continuously.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of FP&A in optimising overall profitability of non-tuition fee related revenue through increased facility utilisation and improved commercial terms – covering sports, theatre, partnerships and other revenue generating activities.
• Own the annual regional ancillary revenue plan, aligning opportunities across schools to optimise facility usage and engagement.
• Plan, promote, and deliver ancillary revenue-generating events across the group (e.g. ISP Regional Competitions, Games, galas, lectures).
• Build partnerships with external vendors, speakers, and community organisations to monetise venue spaces.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Catering, and School Leadership to identify and action short-term revenue opportunities.
• Deliver a defined ancillary revenue target across the region and measure ROI on all initiatives, ensuring effective use of internal resources.
• Track performance against revenue targets and produce monthly impact reports.
• Maintain a pipeline of ideas and develop business cases for each initiative.
• Support the Head of FP&A in setting up processes to track After School Activities (ASA) providers’ performance, contract renewals, and sourcing new providers.
• Collaborate with Marketing teams to ensure success and wider exposure.
• Support, mentor, and influence school-based staff to build a consistent commercial mindset across operations.
• Bonus Plan: up to 4 months bonus dependent on KPI/target delivery.

Position Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution

Experience:

3+ years of experience in event management, commercial coordination, or venue operations.

Language:

• English is mandatory.
• Arabic is an advantage.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in organizing, booking, and operating sports tournaments, after school programmes and events (e.g., football and basketball tournaments, sports days, swimming galas).
• Experience with convention & performing arts, regional sports commissions, and/or regional event management booking in a regional sport/venue context.
• Dynamic, positive approach to deliver the regional vision for ASAs; self-motivated with initiative.
• Good knowledge of school operations; strong project management and coordination skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking with attention to detail; strong communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment; financial awareness and ability to build business cases using Excel and PowerPoint.
• Interpersonal skills including customer service, tact, courtesy, and patience; ability to negotiate, persuade and motivate others.
• Experience of working in a large multinational matrix organisation; creative, proactive, and results-oriented mindset.

Attributes

• Ability to travel regularly within the region to visit schools and ensure operations are working as planned.
• Empathetic listener and patient; integrity and confidentiality; emotional intelligence.
• Intercultural awareness and ability to work outside normal business hours due to events and competitions.
• Flexible and can-do attitude.

Safeguarding and Diversity

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles: ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including online due diligence searches, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.