Director of Business Development

Syarah; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive technology company in Saudi Arabia seeks a Director of Business Development to spearhead strategic growth initiatives. The role involves developing dealer networks, enhancing new car sales, and establishing partnerships with financial institutions. Candidates should possess extensive experience in business development, strong negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem. Fluency in Arabic and English is essential for this position.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or automotive leadership.
• Deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
• Proven track record of executive negotiations and market expansion.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the company’s growth strategy.
• Identify and close high-value deals with partners.
• Lead the expansion of the new car sales vertical.
• Establish and grow relationships with banks and finance companies.
• Lead cross-departmental initiatives to support growth.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Financial acumen

Leadership

Communication skills

Knowledge of automotive ecosystem

Fluency in Arabic and English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

Syarah is on a mission to change how people buy their cars in Saudi and the Middle East. We offer buyers an end-to-end digital car buying experience where they can buy their next car from the comfort of their living rooms. Under the hood, we build systems to manage sourcing of cars, inspection, photography, merchandising, reconditioning, financing, insurance, shipping and many more. Our goal is to turn car buying into an experience of delight, comfort and peace of mind.

We are on the lookout for ambitious, competitive, growth-minded professionals to help us continue to harness technology to delight our customers and achieve our ambitious growth objectives in the auto sector.

All Syarah employees are expected to work in accordance with Syarah core values: Tolerance, Transparency, Respect, Integrity and Positivity

The Director of Business Development will lead the company’s strategic growth initiatives across all verticals, with a specific focus on scaling new car sales, developing dealer networks, and building high-impact financial partnerships. The role is central to expanding Syarah’s presence in Saudi Arabia through strategic relationships with automotive dealers and financial institutions, while driving overall commercial expansion.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Growth

• Define and drive the company’s growth strategy across markets, focusing on partnerships that accelerate commercial scale and product reach.
• Identify and close high-value deals with partners in logistics, insurance, after-sales, and data services to support platform operations.
• Collaborate closely with leadership to align business development goals with the company’s financial and operational targets.
• Represent the company at executive-level industry events, conferences, and meetings to strengthen visibility and influence.

New Car Sales & Dealer Network Expansion

• Lead the expansion of the new car sales vertical by establishing relationships with leading dealerships and importers across KSA.
• Negotiate commercial agreements that increase inventory flow, optimize pricing, and ensure long-term dealer retention.
• Oversee remote sales operations managed from Jordan, ensuring smooth execution across borders and full platform integration.
• Develop strategies to differentiate Syarah’s new car offering through bundling, exclusive deals, or tech-driven sales tools.

Finance Strategy & Bank Partnerships

• Establish and grow relationships with banks and finance companies to offer a wide range of financing solutions for new and used car buyers.
• Structure innovative financing models (e.g., installment plans, leasing, buy-now-pay-later) to enhance affordability and drive conversion.
• Monitor the performance of finance partnerships and ensure product-market fit, approval efficiency, and compliance with KSA regulations.
• Lead integration efforts with internal product and tech teams to streamline user access to financing within the platform.

Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Lead cross-departmental initiatives with product, marketing, sales, operations, and finance teams to support end-to-end growth initiatives.
• Build and mentor a high-performing business development and dealer management team as the function scales.
• Develop strategic dashboards and reporting systems to track key partnership KPIs and inform executive decisions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or Automotive Management; MBA preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or automotive leadership, ideally within the KSA market.
• Deep understanding of the automotive ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, including digital platforms, finance institutions, and dealer dynamics.
• Proven track record of executive negotiations, complex deal-making, and market expansion.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to assess ROI, pricing models, and partnership performance.
• Bilingual: Fluent in Arabic and English.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.