KSA Business Development Lead | Riyadh, SA

KSA Business Development Lead

Job Title: KSA Business Development Lead

• Location: Riyadh, KSA
• Employment Type: Full-Time

Zest is seeking a skilled and motivated individual to drive sales. This role is crucial in expanding our presence in KSA and ensuring seamless on-the-ground execution.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in the B2B institutional sales cycle, particularly in the VC, PE, and family office ecosystem, and will have a strong existing network among HNWIs, family offices, and investment firms. This person must also be fluent in Arabic and demonstrate experience within the investments space.

Beyond sales, this role requires operational oversight for local entity, liaising with third parties, and facilitating strategic relationships through opening doors with key government stakeholders and also hosting business development initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing company at the forefront of private market transformation. The role will play a foundational role in driving market penetration, business growth, and community engagement in KSA.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development and Sales

• Develop and execute sales strategy for Zest. Build and manage a strong pipeline, leveraging an existing network and identifying new opportunities in KSA.
• Establish and nurture relationships with corporate service providers, ecosystem leaders and investment partners to expand market reach.
• Bring expertise in the B2B institutional sales cycle to optimize sales processes and share knowledge with internal teams.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery, from onboarding to execution.
• Represent Zest at events, conferences, and meetings to strengthen brand recognition and foster relationships.

2. Client & Community Engagement

• Act as a liaison between clients, regional members, and other stakeholders to facilitate meetings, introductions, and relationship-building initiatives.
• Develop and execute initiatives to strengthen Zest's presence in KSA through curated networking opportunities and community engagement efforts aimed at engaging entrepreneurs, funds, PE / VC, HNWIs, family offices, and institutional investors.

3. On-the-Ground Operational & Administrative Oversight

• Support the operational requirements of Zest's local entity in KSA.
• Act as the key liaison for third-party providers, regulatory bodies, and government entities in matters related to local entity setup, compliance and local expansion initiatives.
• Owning local office logistics, administration, and operational needs to ensure smooth execution of Zest's continued growth in the Saudi market.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 7+ years of experience in banking, institutional sales, business development, or investor relations within investment services across VC, PE, HNWI or family office environments.
• Background: Strong track record in selling or interacting with fintech solutions, investment solutions, or corporate services, particularly within KSA. Sales experience is highly desirable.
• Industry knowledge: Familiarity with the investment landscape in KSA and the broader MENA region, including an understanding of investor needs and regulatory considerations.
• Network: Demonstrated strong existing network within VC, PE, HNWIs, and family offices in KSA.
• Education: Bachelor's degree is required; a Master's degree is a strong advantage.
• Language skills: Fluency in Arabic is mandatory; English proficiency is also required.

Key Attributes

• A decisive leader and collaborative team player, able to take initiative, share expertise, and work effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to navigate complex sales cycles and tailor solutions to institutional clients.
• Ability to deliver results with limited resources and thrive in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.
• Operationally adept, capable of handling local entity setup and regulatory liaison responsibilities.
• Strong network builder, comfortable hosting events, engaging key stakeholders, and fostering long-term relationships.
• Results-driven and adaptable, with a sharp focus on achieving and exceeding sales and engagement targets.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, ensuring seamless coordination with clients, partners, and internal teams.
• Highly independent and self-motivated, capable of hitting the ground running and bringing immediate value to the sales team.

Benefits

Key Benefits

• Competitive compensation scheme.
• Unlimited leave.
• Health insurance.