Business Development Manager

Location

Abu Dhabi, AE (Primary)
Dubai, AE

Business Development / Marketing

Full-time

This is a strategic and business-critical position responsible for driving business development and market expansion across the United Arab Emirates, with a primary focus on Abu Dhabi and key growth sectors within the Emirate. The role will be based in the Abu Dhabi office and will report to the Business Development Director and Executive Management.

The position will play a pivotal role in strengthening existing client relationships while identifying, qualifying, and converting new business opportunities across the architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, and broader AEC consultancy sectors. Working closely with regional leadership and technical teams, the role will support strategic pursuits, contribute to bid positioning, and help drive sustainable revenue growth within Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE market.

The successful candidate will bring a well-established and active network of Centers of Influence (COIs), including government and semi-government entities, master developers, asset owners, owner’s representatives, architects, engineers, and other allied professional service providers. This network will be leveraged to generate high-quality leads, facilitate senior-level client engagement, and advance opportunities through to successful appointment.

The role requires a commercially astute and relationship-driven professional who can represent the firm credibly in the market, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and work collaboratively with leadership to expand the company’s footprint and brand presence within Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.

• Monitor market trends and maintain strong market intelligence to identify new project opportunities across Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders including government entities, semi-government organizations, master developers, and private sector clients.
• Undertake market analysis and mapping of key sectors to identify prospective projects and strategic opportunities.
• Define and implement growth strategies by identifying incremental development opportunities and supporting feasibility and positioning strategies.
• Continually identify, build, and develop new client relationships within the Architecture, Engineering, and Consultancy (AEC) market.
• Deliver compelling presentations and client engagement sessions that communicate the company’s capabilities, experience, and value proposition.
• Identify and evaluate new markets and partnership opportunities through direct prospecting, industry networking, professional associations, and strategic collaborations.
• Support the proposal development process across all stages, including pre-RFP positioning, Go/No-Go decision-making, proposal preparation, and post-submission follow-up.
• Contribute to the development of effective marketing and pursuit strategies, including market segmentation, value proposition development, pricing strategy, branding, and communication approaches.
• Represent and promote the company’s mission, vision, values, reputation, and professional standards internally and externally within the marketplace.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive business development experience within architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, engineering consultancy, or project management consultancy, with strong exposure to the UAE market. Experience working within Abu Dhabi and engagement with local authorities and developers is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in business development for consultancy services, including design and/or construction supervision, with proven ability to originate opportunities and contribute to successful project wins.
• Established and active professional network within the UAE, particularly among government entities, master developers, and stakeholders within the landscape architecture and public realm sectors.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior clients, consultants, and government stakeholders.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly for proposals, presentations, and reporting.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in Arabic is considered an advantage.