Senior Business Development Specialist

IMI is a privately-owned, global media group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with operations across 19 countries. Our portfolio includes renowned media brands such as Sky News Arabia as part of a joint venture with Sky UK, The National, Al-Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, and a minority stake in Euronews.

Additionally, through Redbird IMI, our joint venture with Redbird Capital Partners, we invest in leading media, sports, and entertainment brands worldwide. We bring the world closer by sharing stories that open minds, connect people, and enrich lives, empowering audiences with news, knowledge, and factual entertainment.

Role Summary:

The Senior Business Development Specialist will be dedicated to upholding an effective sales and business development strategy at IMI/SNA Academy. The goal is to drive sustainable financial growth by boosting training revenue streams, building strong business relationships with new clients, and retaining existing clients across public, corporate, and academic sectors. This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in sales, business development, and client relationship management.

Job Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of a growth strategy focused on financial gain, customer satisfaction, and market expansion.
• Conduct research to identify new markets, customer needs, and emerging trends, and perform comprehensive sectorial mapping to increase the Academy’s prospects pipeline.
• Establish and nurture business relationships with prospective clients while maintaining strong relationships with existing clients as assigned by the Academy Head.
• Promote and sell the Academy’s products/services through both traditional and innovative channels, ensuring alignment with the Academy’s brand and values.
• Prepare and negotiate training contracts, ensuring compliance with standard policies and procedures in collaboration with the Legal and Finance departments.
• Achieve assigned KPIs and sales revenue goals, consistently delivering on targets and contributing to the Academy’s commercial success.
• Assist the Head of SNA Academy in budget forecasting, monitoring actuals, and providing insights to optimize financial performance.
• Analyse client satisfaction surveys and translate results into qualitative and quantitative reports for Senior Management, identifying areas for improvement and growth opportunities.
• Represent the Academy at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to enhance brand visibility and generate leads.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop targeted campaigns and promotional materials to support business development efforts.
• Stay updated on industry trends, competitor activities, and market dynamics to inform strategic decision-making.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in media, Communication, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of proven experience in sales, business development, or a related field, preferably within the media, education, or training sectors.
• Academic or media background is highly desirable.
• Strong negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to close deals and achieve targets.
• Critical thinker and problem solver with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Canva software.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to deliver compelling pitches to diverse audiences.
• Fluent in Arabic and English (both written and spoken).
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience in the education or training industry, particularly in developing and selling training programs.
• Knowledge of e-learning platforms and digital marketing strategies.
• Familiarity with the UAE market, its Governmental authorities and its regulatory environment.