Head of Business Development - Fashion Heaven Inc

The Head of Business Development will be responsible for growing the distribution channels for this independent premium mens and womens fashion lifestyle brand established in Dubai. Key to the role is the achievement of sales targets devising and driving the commercial strategy for all channels and markets to expand brand awareness with an emphasis on developing international wholesale and distribution whilst working closely with a small portfolio of existing UAE stores to ensure the achievement of targets.

The successful Head of Sales or Business Development Manager will ideally be living and working in Dubai or the UAE and have international fashion industry experience demonstrating excellent knowledge of the UAE region and wider global market with an uptodate network of wholesale and distribution contacts.

This opportunity will suit an ambitious individual grounded in the experience of growing a brand with a proven track record in achieving sustainable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the commercial and distribution strategy for the brand in alignment with the overarching business strategy in collaboration with the CEO & Founder and management team.
• Develop local market and countryspecific strategies and plans taking into consideration the competitive environment.
• Identify and develop new distribution channels conducting all client negotiations.
• Set and manage the seasonal sales budget.
• Manage pricing architecture for all channels in cooperation with the product merchandising and marketing teams.
• Manage business development innovatively and tactically ensuring market alignment.
• Set monthly targets for each channel and market and gather weekly sales analysis.
• Be the main point of contact for new markets negotiating the brand placement retail space order quantities and installation aligning on stock prevision staff etc...)
• Coordinate brand promotions with the marketing merchandise team and retail teams.
• Collate the seasonal stock list for wholesale and any special projects throughout the season.
• Signoff on product guidelines for training wholesale pricing and RRPs.
• Work closely with Store Managers to optimise product performance throughout the year.
• Manage any popup and shopinshop openings.

Research & Reporting

• Weekly monthly and quarterly sales analysis again budget based on style fabric price point colour fit geography channel and customer feedback to inform strategic decisions on product promotions and stock.
• Market research including travel to understand market potential competitor landscape brand positioning and performance potential using insights to inform growth strategy.

Essential Skills

• A fashion business or marketing related degree.
• At least 5 years of fashion industry experience in business development ideally including an independent brand.
• A live and current fashion wholesale and distribution network in the UAE and international markets.
• Naturally numerate and datadriven with a strategic analytical and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Confident in building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive business.
• A selfstarter and positive team player capable of working independently.
• Excellent communication organisation and presenting skills.
• Computer savvy in the use of Microsoft Office and PLM software.
• Flexible to undertake seasonal travel for business development.
• Fully fluent written and spoken English language skills.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary in line with experience performancerelated bonus.
• Healthcare.
• Clothing allowance.
• Relocation support and benefits will be provided if required including visa.