We are representing a leading global investment and real-estate development platform focused on large-scale, mixed-use projects linked to sports, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Job Title: Head of Business Development – MENA

Location: MENA (preferred base: Doha, Riyadh, Dubai or Abu Dhabi)

Reports to: Founder

Function: Senior leadership role responsible for driving growth, partnerships, capital formation, and entity establishment across the MENA region for a global investment and real-estate development platform focused on large-scale, mixed-use projects linked to sports, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Role Purpose

The Head of Business Development – MENA will lead the regional expansion strategy, overseeing commercial origination, capital raising, and the establishment of a new MENA entity. This executive will identify, structure, and secure landmark development and investment opportunities while also building the regional business infrastructure — from licensing and governance setup to strategic partnerships and capital syndication. The ideal candidate will combine deep regional market knowledge with proven experience in corporate formation, deal origination, and sovereign-capital relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Define and implement the MENA business development and growth strategy aligned with global investment priorities.
• Identify, originate, and structure large-scale mixed-use and sports/entertainment-related real-estate developments across the region.
• Build and maintain relationships with key regional stakeholders — governments, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, developers, and venue operators.
• Negotiate and structure high-value commercial agreements, joint ventures, PPPs, and master-planning partnerships.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with internal investment, legal, finance, and development teams to ensure deal integrity and execution.
• Anticipate and interpret macroeconomic, political, and sectoral trends to guide strategic decisions.
• Represent the organization at senior-level meetings, investment forums, and regional conferences.

Capital Raising & Investor Relations

• Lead capital-formation efforts across MENA, raising funds from sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, family offices, and government-related entities.
• Develop and deliver targeted investment propositions aligned with the mandates of regional sovereign funds (e.g., PIF, QIA, ADIA, Mubadala, Mumtalakat).
• Build long-term relationships with sovereign and institutional investors to secure recurring capital participation.
• Collaborate with global finance and investment teams to structure co-investments, fund vehicles, and joint ventures.
• Oversee the preparation of detailed investor materials, financial models, and term sheets.
• Manage the entire investor-relations lifecycle — from initial engagement to post-close reporting and partnership management.
• Support ongoing governance and transparency standards to maintain institutional credibility.

Entity Creation & Regional Setup

• Lead the full establishment of the MENA regional entity, including strategy, licensing, corporate structure, and operational framework.
• Oversee all regulatory and legal filings required to register and operationalize the entity in compliance with local jurisdictional requirements (e.g., QFC, DIFC, ADGM, or national company laws).
• Design and implement the organizational structure, governance framework, and financial systems for the regional entity.
• Manage the appointment and coordination of legal, financial, and administrative advisors to ensure efficient setup.
• Develop local operational policies, compliance protocols, and reporting structures in alignment with global standards.
• Lead the hiring and onboarding of key personnel, ensuring the entity has the talent, resources, and capabilities to execute its strategic plan.
• Establish local banking relationships, investor onboarding procedures, and capital flow mechanisms.
• Prepare the long-term business plan and P&L projections for the new entity, including revenue, cost, and capital targets.
• Serve as the authorized representative for regional authorities, partners, and investors during the establishment and initial operating phase.

Pipeline Development & Execution

• Build and manage a high-value regional pipeline of investment and development opportunities.
• Oversee due diligence, feasibility, and financial assessment processes to ensure quality deal flow.
• Ensure deals are structured to meet internal risk-return thresholds and compliance requirements.
• Deliver transparent pipeline reporting, tracking key metrics such as project value, stage, capital requirement, and IRR targets.
• Coordinate with global and regional teams to align local projects with the company’s strategic investment themes.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Recruit, mentor, and lead a regional business-development and capital-formation team.
• Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Build strong alignment and knowledge sharing between the MENA region and global corporate offices.
• Maintain productive partnerships with consultants, advisors, and regulatory bodies.
• Act as a regional ambassador, representing the organization’s brand and strategic mission across MENA.

Experience

• 10–15 years of progressive experience in business development, investment origination, or capital markets within real estate, infrastructure, or private equity sectors.
• Proven track record in establishing new entities or regional offices, including managing legal registration, licensing, and operational readiness.
• Demonstrated success in raising institutional and sovereign capital, with deal values exceeding USD 500 million.
• Deep network across MENA governments, sovereign funds, institutional investors, and developers.
• Proven ability to manage complex negotiations, structure high-value transactions, and oversee cross-border execution.
• Strong understanding of regional business environments, including QFC, DIFC, ADGM, and KSA regulatory frameworks.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with understanding of IRR, NPV, and deal modeling fundamentals.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and C-suite engagement capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial and execution-driven mindset.
• Effective communicator with outstanding presentation and negotiation skills.
• Fluent in English; Arabic proficiency strongly preferred.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and political sensitivity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance, or related discipline; MBA or advanced qualification preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the region and internationally.
• Comfortable leading both strategic initiatives and hands-on execution in a growth-stage environment.