Supply-side merchant acquisition Manager

SkyBlue Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyBlue Group is expanding a digital platform and seeks a Partnership Manager to build strategic partnerships with merchants, aggregators, and channel partners. You will drive merchant onboarding, activation, and ongoing relationship development to expand platform adoption.

The role requires strong business development, negotiation, and relationship management skills with UAE market familiarity. You will collaborate with Product, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Customer Success to achieve

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Merchant Acquisition, Channel Sales, Account Management, or related roles.
• Strong experience in building and managing B2B partnerships.
• Experience with technology, SaaS, AI, digital platforms, marketplaces, or similar industries is preferred.
• Existing business network within the UAE is an added advantage.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, Commerce, or a related field.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-driven, target-oriented, and capable of working independently.

Responsibilities

• Identify and onboard new merchants, business partners, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and partnership terms.
• Develop mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.
• Generate new partnership opportunities across assigned industries.
• Conduct partnership meetings, presentations, and product introductions.
• Build a healthy pipeline of prospective partners.
• Work towards achieving monthly partnership targets.
• Coordinate partner onboarding and activation.
• Ensure smooth communication between partners and internal teams.
• Monitor partner engagement and identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain strong partner relationships through regular follow-ups.
• Research new industries and business opportunities.
• Identify potential partners within target markets.
• Support expansion into new business categories and locations.
• Work closely with Product, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Customer Success teams.
• Share market insights and partner feedback to improve offerings.
• Support partnership campaigns and go-to-market initiatives.

Skills

Business Development

Partnership Management

Merchant Acquisition

Commercial Negotiation

Relationship Management

Communication & Presentation Skills

Networking

Market Research

CRM Management

Account Management

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

About SkyBlue Group

SkyBlue Group is a diversified global enterprise with over 18 years of industry experience, operating across the UAE, Malaysia, India, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, South Korea, and Türkiye. Through its portfolio of businesses, the Group has established a strong presence across media, advertising, production, consumer goods, digital technology, and emerging business ventures, delivering innovative solutions that create long-term value for clients and partners.

Driven by innovation and strategic partnerships, SkyBlue Group continues to expand its global footprint by developing new business opportunities, strengthening industry collaborations, and investing in future-ready digital solutions.

As part of our continued growth, we are expanding one of our digital platforms and are looking for an experienced Partnership Manager to develop strategic relationships with merchants, business partners, aggregators, and channel partners. This role will play a key part in expanding our business ecosystem, driving commercial partnerships, and supporting the long-term growth of the platform.

Role Overview

The Supply-side merchant acquisition Manager will be responsible for identifying, developing, and managing strategic partnerships with merchants, business partners, aggregators, and channel partners. The successful candidate will play a key role in expanding our partner network, increasing platform adoption, and supporting long-term commercial growth.

This role requires a highly motivated individual with strong business development, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships

• Identify and onboard new merchants, business partners, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with key stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and partnership terms.
• Develop mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.

Business Development

• Generate new partnership opportunities across assigned industries.
• Conduct partnership meetings, presentations, and product introductions.
• Build a healthy pipeline of prospective partners.
• Work towards achieving monthly partnership targets.

Partner Management

• Coordinate partner onboarding and activation.
• Ensure smooth communication between partners and internal teams.
• Monitor partner engagement and identify growth opportunities.
• Maintain strong partner relationships through regular follow-ups.

Market Expansion

• Research new industries and business opportunities.
• Identify potential partners within target markets.
• Support expansion into new business categories and locations.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with Product, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Customer Success teams.
• Share market insights and partner feedback to improve business offerings.
• Support partnership campaigns and go-to-market initiatives.

Target Industries

Partnership opportunities may include businesses across industries such as:

• Food & Beverage
• Healthcare
• Beauty & Wellness
• Automotive
• Home Services
• Retail
• Travel & Hospitality
• Entertainment
• Professional Services
• Education
• E-commerce
• Financial Services
• Other strategic business sectors

Required Skills

• Business Development
• Partnership Management
• Merchant Acquisition
• Commercial Negotiation
• Relationship Management
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Networking
• Market Research
• CRM Management
• Account Management
• Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Management

Preferred Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Merchant Acquisition, Channel Sales, Account Management, or related roles.
• Strong experience in building and managing B2B partnerships.
• Experience working with technology, SaaS, AI, digital platforms, marketplaces, or similar industries is preferred.
• Existing business network within the UAE is an added advantage.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, Commerce, or a related field.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-driven, target-oriented, and capable of working independently.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Number of new partners onboarded
• Partnership pipeline growth
• Active partner engagement
• Revenue generated through partnerships
• Partner retention rate
• Strategic partnerships established
• Market expansion milestones achieved