Head of Business Development - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

CIC • Riyadh, KS

2d

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Head of Business Development to establish and significantly grow CIC Catalyst’s presence and revenue stream across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with an immediate focus on high-potential markets like Saudi Arabia. This is a crucial role designed to professionalize our market penetration efforts, moving beyond reliance on part-time resources and periodic travel to drive substantial new business growth.

Requirements

• 10+ years of Business Development experience, ideally in innovation, economic development, or consulting in the Middle East.
• Deep understanding of the MENA market, culture, and contracting processes, with existing professional networks.
• Ability to turn complex market insights and company capabilities into clear, executable business plans.
• A self-starter who can operate independently, drive results, and manage long BD cycles (up to 6 months lag time).
• Highly detail-oriented and organized work style with strong time-management skills.
• Relevant experience, including a passion for and proven results in project management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A natural instinct for navigating challenging situations (high emotional intelligence).
• A strong willingness to work closely with innovation-minded colleagues.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the Middle East.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Revenue Generation: Define and execute a regional strategy to generate new revenue opportunities for all CIC Catalyst services, including Captains, DesCon (Design Consulting), and Expansion teams.
• Market Leadership and Presence: Serve as the dedicated, full-time representative for CIC in the region, actively building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities (e.g. NTDP and Wadi Jeddah) and private sector partners.
• Pipeline Management: Manage the full Business Development lifecycle, from initial lead generation and qualification to proposal development and contract negotiation, ensuring a strong, consistent pipeline of business opportunities.
• Immediate Opportunity Capture: Focus efforts on converting immediate high-value opportunities and other contracts requiring local team deployment.
• Staffing & Support: Work closely with the global team to anticipate staffing needs and work with the Partners and Director of Strategy to allocate resources for secured contracts.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively ensure the company is viewed as a strategic, long-term partner in the MENA region by maintaining a strong, local presence and commitment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees