Vice President, Business Development / Operations (Government)

Udacity; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education technology firm is seeking a Vice President to lead government programs, drive business development, and cultivate partnerships. The ideal candidate has over 10 years in business development with a proven record in public sector engagement and sales. This role involves shaping strategies, managing teams, and overseeing global programs aimed at workforce transformation and social impact. Strong negotiation and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in business development or public sector consulting.
• Proven track record in closing multi-million dollar deals.
• Experience leading high-performing teams across multiple time zones.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the Government department strategy.
• Drive global expansion of government initiatives.
• Lead strategic sales efforts across public sector accounts.

Skills

Business development

Government partnerships

Sales

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Cultural sensitivity

Job description

Overview

Vice President, Government, responsible for leading a global function that includes Government Programs, Societal Impact Initiatives and High School Partnerships. Drive business development and strategic execution to deliver measurable results and uplift communities through education and workforce transformation. Lead a team of business development and project management professionals and cultivate government and philanthropic partnerships across geographies. Requires a strong background in public sector engagement, digital skilling initiatives and partnership development, with an entrepreneurial mindset and proven leadership experience.

What you’ll do

• Leadership & Strategy: Shape and execute the Government department strategy in alignment with company-wide goals
• Drive global expansion of government and societal impact initiatives
• Position Udacity’s executive leadership as thought leaders in skills development and community transformation
• Serve as a key spokesperson and evangelist with public officials, philanthropic leaders and education partners
• Business Development & Sales: Own revenue targets and opportunity pipelines for Government and Societal Impact Programs
• Lead strategic sales efforts across public sector accounts, from opportunity identification to close
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with ministries, foundations, and global NGOs
• Program Oversight & Impact: Oversee a portfolio of global programs focused on workforce enablement, social mobility, and youth development
• Ensure consistent program delivery through strong project governance and KPI tracking
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the delivery of government-funded training programs
• Team Management: Lead and inspire a cross-functional team of Business Development Managers and Program Managers
• Establish clear performance expectations and development plans
• Foster a collaborative, impact-oriented culture
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary escalation point for key government accounts
• Collaborate with internal functions (Legal, Finance, Student Experience, Marketing) to align delivery
• Represent Udacity at external events, policy roundtables, and regional summits

What We Value

• 10+ years of experience in business development, government partnerships, or public sector consulting
• Demonstrated success in leading global programs or high-value public-private initiatives
• Proven track record in sales, with experience closing multi-million dollar deals
• Experience leading high-performing teams across multiple time zones and cultures
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, including experience with executive-level stakeholders
• Strong understanding of government procurement processes and funding mechanisms
• Passion for education, innovation and social impact
• Arabic language fluency a plus
• Experience working in the Middle East, North Africa, or emerging markets
• Background in digital skills training, workforce development or edtech

Compensation & Equal Opportunity

Compensation at Udacity, an Accenture company, varies depending on a wide array of factors. Udacity will provide a reasonable range of compensation as required by local law. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on any protected basis. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce, and we value the rich perspectives of our candidates and colleagues.

Udacity’s Values

Obsess over Outcomes - Take the Lead - Embrace Curiosity - Celebrate the Assist

Apply for this job

Interested in building your career at Udacity? Apply to this role with the information requested by the application form.