Group Director - Business Development

Messe Frankfurt Middle East is one of the regions leading trade fair organizers, connecting businesses, industries, and innovation through world-class exhibitions and conferences. As a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, one of the worlds largest event organizers, we bring global expertise to the Middle East, hosting market-leading events across diverse sectors, including technology, automotive, beauty, security, and more. With a strong presence in Dubai, we drive industry growth by delivering exceptional business platforms that foster networking, knowledge sharing, and commercial success.

This pivotal role will drive the strategic expansion of our event portfolio, identifying new opportunities, leading event launches, and supporting our existing shows to scale successfully. As we continue to grow our market presence, this position will be instrumental in shaping the future of our business through new event development, strategic partnerships, and commercial growth initiatives.

Group Director, Business Development About the Role:

This strategic leadership role will focus on identifying and capitalizing on new event opportunities, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, and driving revenue growth across our international and regional portfolios. Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Group Director will work closely with Portfolio Directors, the Group Director of Marketing & Customer Experience, the Group Creative Director, and the Group Operations Director, while leading key department heads.

Key Responsibilities:

• New Event Development Conduct market research to identify opportunities for new event launches or geo-cloning of existing events, ensuring alignment with industry trends.
• Mergers & Acquisitions Work closely with Messe Frankfurt HQ to evaluate and execute potential acquisitions, partnerships, and investment strategies.
• Portfolio Growth Support Portfolio Directors in expanding existing events by identifying new sectors, adjacencies, and revenue streams.
• Event Incubation & Expansion Oversee the early development of new events, ensuring commercial viability and long-term success.
• Outbound Sales & Commercial Support Lead outbound sales efforts to increase local exhibitor participation at Messe Frankfurts global events.
• Strategic Planning & Reporting Develop and present long-term business development strategies and performance insights to senior leadership.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in business development, sales, or portfolio management within the events and exhibitions industry.
• Strong track record of launching, incubating, and scaling new events.
• Experience in M&A activities within the events sector is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to develop and execute growth strategies, including partnerships and acquisitions.
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• A deep understanding of the Middle East & Africa events landscape.

Why Apply

This is a unique opportunity to play a critical role in Messe Frankfurt Middle Easts growth strategy, leading innovation, and expanding our portfolio in one of the worlds most dynamic event markets.