Category Manager jobs in United Arab Emirates

At Engine by Starling , we are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses, on our technology.

Engine is Starling's software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, the technology that was built to power Starling Bank, and two years ago we split out as a separate business.

Starling Bank has seen exceptional growth and success in the UK, and a large part of that is down to the fact that we have built our own modern technology from the ground up. This SaaS technology platform is now available to banks and financial institutions all around the world, enabling them to benefit from the innovative digital features, and efficient back-office processes that has helped achieve Starling's success.

We are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses, on our technology. We are looking for future leaders to come and join our team, to build client relationships, and work with them to understand their needs and how we can solve them with Engine’s technology.

Engine is the technology arm of Starling Bank, headquartered in London with offices in Dublin, Sydney, Dubai and the UK. This role will be in Dubai but may include travel.

We have a Hybrid approach to working here at Engine - our preference is that you're located within a commutable distance of our place of work in Dubai so that we're able to interact and collaborate in person.

We are seeking a dynamic mid-level Sales and Marketing Manager with strong experience in B2B SaaS, preferably within the banking, consulting, or broader financial services sector. This role will drive end-to-end regional marketing execution, partner engagement, and sales support across the Middle East and APAC markets. You will work closely with regional sales leadership, channel partners, and the global marketing team to execute programs that elevate our brand, generate demand, and accelerate the sales pipeline.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience managing multi-channel marketing initiatives, understands how to position complex technology solutions to senior executive buyers, and thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

What you'll get to do :

• Plan, execute, and optimise regional marketing programs aligned with business objectives in the Middle East and APAC.
• Localise global campaigns for regional relevance, ensuring alignment with market dynamics and cultural nuances.
• Partner with the central / global marketing team to implement content, messaging, and brand standards.

• Own the planning and execution of regional events including conferences, roundtables, trade shows, partner events, and executive briefings.
• Manage event calendars, logistics, speaker briefs, sponsorships, budget tracking, and on-site execution.
• Drive post-event follow-up with sales to accelerate lead conversion and pipeline progression.

• Coordinate regional content needs - whitepapers, case studies, solution briefs, blogs, and sales collateral.
• Localise and adapt messaging to resonate with regional financial institutions and partners
• Support the development and execution of thought leadership initiatives targeting senior executives.

• Support on regional PR and media campaigns to raise awareness

• Execute regional digital campaigns including email, social, paid media, and account-based marketing initiatives.
• Track campaign performance and provide regular reporting on leads, pipeline contribution, and ROI.
• Ensure alignment with the global marketing operations and demand generation teams.

• Support regional partners with co-marketing programs, joint events, and sales enablement
• Develop strong relationships with consulting firms, system integrators, and distribution partners.

• Work directly with the regional sales team to support pipeline generation, deal acceleration, and prospect engagement.
• Create tailored presentations, messaging, and collateral as needed
• Maintain alignment on regional priorities, target accounts, and go-to-market plans.

• 4-5 years of experience in B2B sales and / or marketing with a strong track record of experience in go-to-market strategies within SaaS or enterprise technology environments.
• Strong background in financial services, banking technology, or consulting (preferred).
• Proven experience executing marketing and sales strategies across the Middle East and / or APAC regions.
• Demonstrated success managing regional events and field marketing programs.
• Strong understanding of executive buyer personas in financial services (C-level, digital transformation, technology leadership).
• Experience supporting regional partners and channel ecosystems.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to operate independently in a highly matrixed environment.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and comfort collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to travel across the Middle East and APAC for events and sales support.

• Initial video interview with someone Marketing team - 45 mins
• More in depth interview with some more from the BD and / or Client team - 60 mins
• Final Interview with CCO ~ 45 minutes

You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.