Manager – Business & Ecosystem Development

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Manager to lead Business and Ecosystem Development initiatives. The role will drive strategic partnerships, identify new business opportunities, and ensure the delivery of measurable commercial and strategic value across relevant industries.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and manage strategic partnerships, joint ventures, MoUs and ecosystem programmes.
• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of business opportunities across target markets.
• Assess prospective partners for strategic fit, commercial potential and mutual value.
• Lead negotiations and draft partnership proposals, business cases, term sheets and MoUs.
• Oversee the full partnership lifecycle from origination to activation, performance review, renewal and expansion.
• Monitor activation plans, milestones, commitments and address partnership risks.
• Maintain strategic relationships with corporate, industry, government and institutional stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Marketing, Legal, Finance, Operations and other functions to ensure compliant execution.
• Provide regular reporting on pipeline, performance, risks and outcomes.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Business Opportunity & Partnership Specialists.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, International Business or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships or ecosystem development.
• 3–4 years of managerial or supervisory experience.
• Proven track record in partnership development, commercial negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Experience in media, technology, creative industries or similar ecosystem‑driven environments is desirable.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical, communication and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English required; Arabic is an advantage.