Head of Business Development

On behalf of a prestigious client in Bahrain, Grant Thornton Abdulaal is seeking a results driven and experienced Head of Business Development to lead and oversee a high performing BD team. This role is critical to driving revenue growth, ensuring operational excellence, and supporting strategic initiatives across multiple event segments including exhibitions, associations, corporate, and live events. Fluency in Arabic language with native level proficiency is mandatory. Roles and responsibilities: Team Leadership & ManagementManage and mentor the BD unit, ensuring clarity of roles, targets, and accountabilities. Oversee execution of BD plans across all segments (exhibitions, associations, corporate, live events).

Conduct weekly team meetings, performance reviews, and training interventions. Sales & Pipeline OversightEnsure accurate, timely CRM reporting and pipeline management. Monitor KPIs: revenue, sqm occupancy, event days, visitor impact, lead conversion. Allocate and track leads across BD team, ensuring follow-up discipline. Operational ExcellenceEnforce ISO and compliance standards in BD processes. Ensure proposals, contracts, and reports are produced to world-class standards. Coordinate reporting across BD for weekly/monthly dashboards to Director of BD. Client & Stakeholder Engagement (Secondary)Support segment leads in managing key accounts. Step in for escalated client issues or complex negotiations.

Represent EWB when delegated at trade shows or sales missions. Strategic SupportSupport the Director of BD in preparing annual BD plans and reports. Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to inform strategic direction. Act as deputy for Director of BD when required. Education Qualification and additional skills: Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field (Masters will be added advantage). Professional certifications in sales leadership/BD (advantage). Fluency in Arabic with native level proficiency is mandatory. The candidate must be currently based in Bahrain.

Minimum 7 to 10 years in business development, with at least 3 years leading a sales/BD team in the exhibitions/events sector. Strong communication and presentation skills. Proven ability to run BD operations effectively. Negotiation and client management experience. Ability to handle high-pressure, multi-tasking environments. Cultural intelligence and ability to lead in a Middle Eastern context. Core Competencies: Leadership & People Development: Ability to manage, coach, and motivate a diverse BD team. Operational Discipline: Skilled in CRM, reporting, compliance, and process execution. Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of exhibition and business events sales cycles and ROI-driven decision-making. Collaboration & Influence:

Capable of coordinating across departments and with external partners. Problem-Solving: Hands-on in resolving operational bottlenecks and client challenges