Senior Director, Business Development, MEA

Circle is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Senior Director of Business Development amp Partnerships to lead our expansion and partner ecosystem efforts across MEA Based in Dubai with extensive travel across the region this is a dual-mandate role you will be both a strategic dealmaker and a dedicated partner owner identifying and closing high-value opportunities then ensuring those partnerships are activated performing and growing over time You will play a pivotal role in shaping Circle s footprint in MEA by leading business negotiations structuring transformative deals and owning the ongoing success of strategic partnerships with financial institutions fintechs and PSPs The ideal candidate thrives equally in winning new business and in the disciplined relationship-driven work of making existing partnerships deliver results Deep expertise in payments fintech and digital assets is essential as is the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments across the continent

Business Development

Develop and execute Circle s business development strategy across Africa identifying high-impact opportunities to drive adoption of our payment solutions Lead negotiations and deal structuring for strategic partnerships with PSPs fintechs mobile money providers and payments businesses Develop and validate commercial models for new business opportunities including financial modelling and forecasting to support strategic decision-making Apply modern analytics and AI-assisted modeling to improve scenario planning and deal evaluation Build and execute go-to-market strategies that drive adoption of Circle s existing products and validate new ones from initial conversations through to signed agreements Provide market intelligence and feedback to Circle s leadership team to inform product and business strategy Use a mix of traditional research and AI-augmented tools to synthesize market signals and competitive trends

Partner Management

Own the post-close relationship with strategic partners across MEA serving as their primary point of contact within Circle Develop and execute joint business plans with partners setting clear performance milestones KPIs and growth targets Drive partner activation and time-to-revenue ensuring smooth onboarding and integration of Circle s products and services Conduct regular business reviews with partners to assess performance identify gaps and unlock new growth opportunities within existing accounts Serve as the internal advocate for partners coordinating with product compliance legal and marketing teams to resolve issues surface partner needs and prioritize the right support Build and nurture a tiered partner ecosystem across MEA identifying and developing high-potential partners for deeper more strategic collaboration Track and report on partner performance metrics using CRM and analytics tools ensuring accurate pipeline management and accountability against targets Leverage AI-augmented CRM features and analytics to improve forecasting prioritization and partner insights

13+ years of experience in business development and/or partner management in financial services, fintech, or digital assets, with a strong track record across the region. Demonstrated ability to both close complex, high-value deals and manage and grow strategic partner relationships post-close. Deep understanding of MEA's financial ecosystem, including mobile money, banking infrastructure, cross-border payments, and emerging fintech trends. A strong network of industry relationships with leading financial institutions, fintechs, and enterprise partners across the region.

Proven ability to develop joint business plans, manage partner performance, and drive measurable revenue outcomes through partnerships. Good understanding of the digital assets and cryptocurrency sector, including key players, products, and trends. Practical fluency with modern AI tools and workflows: experience leveraging generative AI and large language models for market research, pitch and contract drafting, data synthesis, and productivity; ability to craft effective prompts and validate model outputs.

Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and analytics workflows relevant to deal evaluation and partner performance (e.g., predictive forecasting, cohort analysis, model-driven segmentation), and the ability to work with data teams to operationalize insights. Cross-cultural competence and ability to work effectively…