Business Development Manager

Client of Arkpeoplesolutions

Our client, a leading culinary education provider in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, is seeking an experienced and strategic Business Development Manager to lead their growth and partnership initiatives. This pivotal role will focus on expanding the organisation's reach, securing high-impact collaborations, and driving revenue growth, all in alignment with the mission to develop future culinary leaders who champion local, sustainable, and healthy culinary practices. You will play a central role in building partnerships with the hospitality, education, and government sectors while guiding a talented business development and marketing team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, approach, and secure partnerships with hotels, restaurants, resorts, educational institutions, corporate organisations, and government entities for joint initiatives.
  
• Strengthen relationships with senior decision-makers, ensuring partner needs are met and commitments delivered.
  
• Represent the organisation at meetings, networking events, and exhibitions to build visibility and credibility.
  
• Negotiate partnership agreements, monitor performance, and ensure alignment with strategic goals.
  
• Develop and implement revenue generation strategies, including sponsorships, grants, and business development initiatives, to ensure long-term sustainability.
  
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities, trends, and innovative program ideas within the culinary education sector.
  
• Collaborate with marketing teams to design campaigns that effectively communicate the organisations value proposition and engage the target audience.
  
• Lead alumni engagement initiatives to showcase success stories and strengthen the institutions brand impact.
  
• Manage departmental budgets to maximise resources for growth and outreach.
  
• Lead, mentor, and develop the business development team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture that aligns with the organisation's vision and mission.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field (Master's degree, e.g., MBA, preferred).
  
• Minimum of 35 years proven experience in business development, partnerships, or stakeholder relations in the education, hospitality, or government sectors.
  
• Established professional network within Saudi Arabia.
  
• Proven ability to identify and close high-value business opportunities.
  
• Experience in developing and executing successful sales and partnership strategies.
  
• Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and presentation skills.
  
• Fluent in Arabic and English, both spoken and written.
  
• Highly proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable with frequent travel and meetings.