Business Development Officer (Saudi Arabia) – Higher Education

Markcon Limited; Riyadh; Hybrid; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A consultancy firm in higher education is seeking a Business Development Officer to drive institutional partnerships in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region. You will leverage your strong networks and negotiation skills in a hybrid role that involves client visits and remote work. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience in business development and is familiar with Vision 2030 priorities. Competitive salary with performance bonuses offered.

Benefits

Health insurance

Travel stipend for site visits

Performance bonus

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in business development, partnerships, or consulting.
• Demonstrated success in securing institutional contracts.
• Knowledge of Vision 2030 education & workforce priorities.

Responsibilities

• Secure contracts with universities in Saudi Arabia.
• Establish connections with decision-makers in academia.
• Develop a healthy pipeline of opportunities in MENA.
• Ensure alignment with consultancy teams.

Skills

Strong network in higher education sector

Communication skills in Arabic and English

Negotiation skills

Agility and adaptability

Experience with AI tools

Tools

Canva

Excel

Job description

Overview

Company: Markcon Limited (Saudi Arabia Branch)

Location: Saudi Arabia (with regional expansion across MENA)

Reporting to: General Manager

Mission & Why the Role Matters

At Markcon, we partner with universities, higher education institutions and corporations to provide operations and consultancy services that drive meaningful transformation. The Business Development Officer is a key player in this objective—responsible for building the relationships and securing the contracts that fuel our growth in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region. By joining, you will directly shape Markcon’s impact on higher education.

Key Responsibilities

• Market Penetration: Secure initial contracts with universities and higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia within the first year.
• Relationship Building: Establish and maintain trusted connections with decision-makers in academia, government bodies and corporations.
• Pipeline Growth: Develop and manage a healthy pipeline of opportunities across Saudi Arabia and MENA, with clear revenue projections.
• Brand Presence: Bring to the attention of senior management education forums and conferences, positioning us as a trusted partner for institutional transformation.
• Client Success: Ensure smooth handover and alignment with internal consultancy teams to deliver promised outcomes.

Qualifications

Must-Have:

• Strong, proven network within Saudi Arabia’s higher education sector.
• Ability to use Canva, Excel, and popular AI tools for work efficiency.
• Demonstrated success in securing institutional contracts or partnerships.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills (Arabic and English required).
• Agility and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving market.
• Knowledge of Vision 2030 education & workforce priorities
• Minimum 5 years of experience in business development, partnerships, or consulting.

Nice-to-Have:

• Prior experience in consultancy services.
• Experience expanding into MENA markets outside Saudi Arabia.
• Familiarity with government/regulatory bodies in higher education and corporation.

(We focus only on what’s essential—no inflated requirements.)

Pay Band & Growth Path

• Pay Band: SAR 15,000 – 16,000/month, health insurance, travel stipend to and from any site visit to University, Education institution and Corporations.
• Performance Bonus: Linked to contracts closed and revenue generated.
• Growth Path:
  • Year 1: Establish as lead for Saudi university partnerships.
  • Year 2+: Progression to Regional Business Development Manager (MENA) with team-building responsibilities.

Realistic Job Preview (RJP)

Work Conditions & Pace:

• Hybrid role (mix of on-site client visits and remote work).
• Frequent travel within Saudi Arabia; occasional regional travel across MENA.
• Fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and ambitious growth targets.

Cross-Time Zone Expectations

• Some coordination with consultants and clients across MENA (occasional late/early calls).

Common Challenges

• Long sales cycles in higher education procurement.
• Navigating complex decision-making structures.
• Balancing multiple institutional demands while keeping pipeline active.

Apply now if you’re ready to play a pivotal role in transforming higher education across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.