Head of Business Development - MENA

We are representing a leading global investment and real‑estate development platform focused on large-scale, mixed‑use projects linked to sports, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Job Title : Head of Business Development – MENA

Location :

MENA (preferred base : Doha, Riyadh, Dubai or Abu Dhabi)

Reports to : Founder

Function :

Senior leadership role responsible for driving growth, partnerships, capital formation, and entity establishment across the MENA region for a global investment and real‑estate development platform focused on large‑scale, mixed‑use projects linked to sports, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Role Purpose The Head of Business Development – MENA will lead the regional expansion strategy, overseeing commercial origination, capital raising, and the establishment of a new MENA entity. This executive will identify, structure, and secure landmark development and investment opportunities while also building the regional business infrastructure — from licensing and governance setup to strategic partnerships and capital syndication. The ideal candidate will combine deep regional market knowledge with proven experience in corporate formation, deal origination, and sovereign‑capital relationships.

Key Responsibilities Strategic & Commercial Leadership

Define and implement the MENA business development and growth strategy aligned with global investment priorities.

Identify, originate, and structure large‑scale mixed‑use and sports / entertainment‑related real‑estate developments across the region.

Build and maintain relationships with key regional stakeholders — governments, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, developers, and venue operators.

Negotiate and structure high‑value commercial agreements, joint ventures, PPPs, and master‑planning partnerships.

Lead cross‑functional collaboration with internal investment, legal, finance, and development teams to ensure deal integrity and execution.

Anticipate and interpret macroeconomic, political, and sectoral trends to guide strategic decisions.

Represent the organization at senior‑level meetings, investment forums, and regional conferences.

Capital Raising & Investor Relations

Lead capital‑formation efforts across MENA, raising funds from sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, family offices, and government‑related entities.

Develop and deliver targeted investment propositions aligned with the mandates of regional sovereign funds (e.g., PIF, QIA, ADIA, Mubadala, Mumtalakat).

Build long‑term relationships with sovereign and institutional investors to secure recurring capital participation.

Collaborate with global finance and investment teams to structure co‑investments, fund vehicles, and joint ventures.

Oversee the preparation of detailed investor materials, financial models, and term sheets.

Manage the entire investor‑relations lifecycle — from initial engagement to post‑close reporting and partnership management.

Support ongoing governance and transparency standards to maintain institutional credibility.

Entity Creation & Regional Setup

Lead the full establishment of the MENA regional entity, including strategy, licensing, corporate structure, and operational framework.

Oversee all regulatory and legal filings required to register and operationalize the entity in compliance with local jurisdictional requirements (e.g., QFC, DIFC, ADGM, or national company laws).

Design and implement the organizational structure, governance framework, and financial systems for the regional entity.

Manage the appointment and coordination of legal, financial, and administrative advisors to ensure efficient setup.

Develop local operational policies, compliance protocols, and reporting structures in alignment with global standards.

Lead the hiring and onboarding of key personnel, ensuring the entity has the talent, resources, and capabilities to execute its strategic plan.

Establish local banking relationships, investor onboarding procedures, and capital flow mechanisms.

Prepare the long‑term business plan and P&L projections for the new entity, including revenue, cost, and capital targets.

Serve as the authorized representative for regional authorities, partners, and investors during the establishment and initial operating phase.

Pipeline Development & Execution

Build and manage a high‑value regional pipeline of investment and development opportunities.

Oversee due diligence, feasibility, and financial assessment processes to ensure quality deal flow.

Ensure deals are structured to meet internal risk‑return thresholds and compliance requirements.

Deliver transparent pipeline reporting, tracking key metrics such as project value, stage, capital requirement, and IRR targets.

Coordinate with global and regional teams to align local projects with the company’s strategic investment themes.

Leadership & Collaboration

Recruit, mentor, and lead a regional business‑development and capital‑formation team.

Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, innovation, and high performance.

Build strong alignment and knowledge sharing between the MENA region and global corporate offices.

Maintain productive partnerships with consultants, advisors, and regulatory bodies.

Act as a regional ambassador, representing the organization’s brand and strategic mission across MENA.

Experience

10–15 years of progressive experience in business development, investment origination, or capital markets within real estate, infrastructure, or private equity sectors.

Proven track record in establishing new entities or regional offices, including managing legal registration, licensing, and operational readiness.

Demonstrated success in raising institutional and sovereign capital, with deal values exceeding USD 500 million.

Deep network across MENA governments, sovereign funds, institutional investors, and developers.

Proven ability to manage complex negotiations, structure high‑value transactions, and oversee cross‑border execution.

Strong understanding of regional business environments, including QFC, DIFC, ADGM, and KSA regulatory frameworks.

Strong commercial and financial acumen with understanding of IRR, NPV, and deal modeling fundamentals.

Exceptional stakeholder management and C‑suite engagement capabilities.

Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial and execution‑driven mindset.

Effective communicator with outstanding presentation and negotiation skills.

Fluent in English; Arabic proficiency strongly preferred.

High level of integrity, discretion, and political sensitivity.

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or related discipline; MBA or advanced qualification preferred.

Willingness to travel extensively across the region and internationally.

Comfortable leading both strategic initiatives and hands‑on execution in a growth‑stage environment.

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