Business Development Manager & Set-up Manager H​/F

Business Development Manager & Country Set-up Manager (Saudi Arabia) - H/F

CLS Group is seeking a dynamic and versatile professional to support the establishment and development of its new subsidiary in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia. This role combines business development responsibilities with operational and administrative management, ensuring both market growth and efficient local set-up.

CLS Group is an international company specializing in Earth observation and environmental monitoring solutions. Founded in 1986, CLS provides innovative services based on satellite data, in-situ measurements, and advanced analytics to support governments, international organizations, and private sector clients. The Group employs around 1,200 people and operates across more than 40 sites worldwide, with headquarters in Toulouse, France.

CLS Saudi Arabia is a newly established subsidiary of CLS Group. The Group already manages several contracts in the country (approx. €2M/year) without a permanent local presence. The objective is to leverage these existing activities while expanding CLS operations (Energy, Infrastructure, Environment, Maritime Security, Fisheries, Utilities, Mobility) to significantly grow revenues in the coming years.

EIS ME specializes in air quality monitoring and environmental solutions. Established in the Middle East since 2008, the subsidiary operates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, and employs more than 25 people. EIS ME has been part of CLS Group for the past two years. The subsidiary is expanding its activities into other CLS strategic sectors (Maritime Security, Environment, Fisheries) and generates approximately €5M in annual revenue.

Saudi Arabia represents a key growth market, particularly for air quality solutions.

• Support the setup and structuring of the Saudi entity (legal, administrative, and financial coordination)
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and CLS corporate policies

• Develop CLS business activities in Saudi Arabia
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities aligned with Group strategy
• Support the expansion of existing contracts and partnerships
• Act as a local interface with clients, partners, and institutional stakeholders

• Work closely with the Business Development Manager Team based in Dubai to align regional strategy, opportunities and to ensure consistency of approach
• Ensure effective communication between the Saudi entity, the UAE office (EIS-ME), and CLS Group headquarters and other entities

• Support the recruitment of the first local taff and their onboarding
• Supervise 1–2 local staff
• Experience in business development, project management, or country setup
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, hands‑on mindset
• Ability to operate in an entrepreneurial/international environment
• Language:
  Fluent English (Arabic is a plus)