Business Development Executive - Recruitment & Workforce Solutions

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Full time

On-site

Job description

Location:Dubai, UAE
Employment Type:Full-Time
Department:Business Development / Sales
Experience Required:6–8 years
Industry:Recruitment, Staffing & Manpower Solutions
Work Arrangement:Office-based with regular client visits across the UAE

About Element MEA

Element MEA is an HR consulting and talent solutions firm supporting businesses with recruitment, HR operations, workforce planning, and people management. We connect ambitious professionals with opportunities to build meaningful careers and contribute to business growth.

About Our Client

Our client is an established, Emirati-owned manpower solutions provider backed by a prominent UAE business group. The company delivers tailored workforce and HR solutions to businesses across the UAE, combining local market expertise with international talent capabilities.

Its service portfolio includes permanent recruitment, contract staffing, Employer of Record (EOR) and Professional Employer Organisation (PEO) solutions, payroll management, PRO services, and Emiratisation support.

With a strong focus on trusted partnerships, service excellence, and compliant workforce solutions, our client is looking for a commercially driven professional to expand its client portfolio and strengthen its position in the UAE market.

Role Overview

We are seeking an accomplished Business Development Associate with a strong background in UAE recruitment, staffing, or white-collar manpower solutions.

This is a client-facing commercial role suited to someone who understands how businesses make hiring decisions, can engage confidently with senior stakeholders, and knows how to turn market opportunities into profitable, long-term partnerships.

You will take ownership of the business development cycle, from identifying high-value prospects and generating leads to pitching solutions, negotiating commercial terms, securing new accounts, and developing repeat business.

The ideal candidate combines a polished professional presence with commercial acumen, a consultative sales approach, and the ability to build relationships across a diverse, international business community.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development & Client Acquisition

Identify and target premium, niche, and high-potential companies across the UAE with current or anticipated workforce requirements.
Develop new business opportunities across relevant sectors, including professional services, financial services, technology, healthcare, energy, retail, and other white-collar industries.
Proactively generate leads through direct outreach, LinkedIn, networking, referrals, industry events, and market intelligence.
Research target companies, understand their business priorities, and identify decision-makers involved in recruitment and workforce planning.
Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of prospective clients, progressing opportunities from initial engagement to signed agreements.
Consistently work towards agreed revenue, client acquisition, and business development targets.

2. Market Intelligence & Opportunity Identification

Monitor market developments, business expansions, new company launches, office openings, and recruitment trends to identify potential opportunities.
Research target accounts to understand their organisational structure, hiring plans, business challenges, and workforce requirements.
Identify opportunities to introduce additional services, including contract staffing, permanent recruitment, EOR/PEO, payroll, PRO services, and Emiratisation support.
Track competitor activity, market demand, and industry developments to support effective sales strategies.
Prioritise opportunities based on commercial potential, conversion probability, and long-term account value.

3. Client Engagement & Relationship Management

Establish relationships with senior decision-makers, including HR Directors, Talent Acquisition Heads, CEOs, Managing Directors, and business owners.
Arrange and conduct client meetings, presentations, and discovery discussions to understand hiring challenges and business objectives.
Present tailored workforce solutions that align with client requirements, budgets, and operational priorities.
Build credibility through professional communication, industry knowledge, timely follow-ups, and a consultative approach.
Maintain consistent engagement with prospective and existing clients to strengthen relationships and encourage repeat business.
Represent the organisation professionally at client meetings, networking functions, and relevant industry events.

4. Commercial Negotiation & Deal Closure

Prepare client proposals, service presentations, quotations, and commercial offers in coordination with internal stakeholders.
Negotiate recruitment fees, service charges, contractual terms, and other commercial conditions within approved company guidelines.
Manage the sales cycle from initial enquiry and proposal submission through negotiation, agreement, and client onboarding.
Follow up on outstanding proposals, address client concerns, and identify practical solutions to move opportunities forward.
Coordinate with management and relevant internal teams to finalise commercial agreements and ensure appropriate approvals.
Maintain a focus on profitable business generation, sustainable client relationships, and long-term revenue growth.

5. Internal Coordination & Service Delivery

Work closely with the recruitment team to translate client requirements into clear job briefs, hiring priorities, and delivery expectations.
Ensure that client requirements, timelines, commercial terms, and service expectations are communicated accurately.
Coordinate internally to support timely candidate delivery and a positive client experience.
Monitor client feedback and help resolve service-related concerns in collaboration with the relevant teams.
Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, strengthen client satisfaction, and expand existing accounts.
Support the transition from new business acquisition to ongoing account management and repeat engagement.

6. CRM Management, Reporting & Performance Tracking

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of prospects, client meetings, follow-ups, proposals, negotiations, and sales opportunities.
Use CRM systems to track the sales pipeline, monitor conversion rates, and maintain visibility of upcoming business.
Prepare regular reports on sales activities, pipeline value, forecast revenue, new client acquisition, and business development progress.
Track performance against agreed KPIs and proactively address gaps in lead generation, conversion, and revenue achievement.
Maintain a structured follow-up process to ensure that promising opportunities are not lost due to delayed engagement.
Provide management with relevant market feedback, client insights, and recommendations for improving commercial performance.

7. Account Growth & Long-Term Business Development

Develop relationships with newly acquired clients to establish recurring business and long-term commercial partnerships.
Identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities across the company's broader workforce and HR services portfolio.
Re-engage dormant accounts and revive previously unsuccessful opportunities where a new business need exists.
Understand changing client requirements and proactively propose additional services that create value.
Contribute to a strong reputation for reliability, professionalism, transparency, and service excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
6–8 years of relevant business development experience, preferably within UAE recruitment, staffing, manpower solutions, or HR services.
Demonstrable success in acquiring new clients, generating revenue, negotiating commercial agreements, and achieving sales targets.
Established understanding of the UAE business landscape, corporate decision-making structures, and workforce requirements.
Experience selling recruitment services, contract staffing, outsourcing, EOR/PEO, or related B2B solutions will be highly advantageous.
A demonstrable network of corporate contacts and experience engaging senior decision-makers will be an advantage.
Experience working with premium corporate accounts, multinational organisations, or clients with complex workforce requirements is preferred.

Core Competencies

Commercial and strategic skills

Strong prospecting, lead generation, and opportunity qualification.
Consultative selling, proposal development, and commercial negotiation.
Pipeline management, revenue forecasting, and target ownership.
Market research, account planning, and strategic relationship development.

Communication and interpersonal skills

Native-level or fluent English, with excellent written and verbal communication.
Confident presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal awareness and the ability to build rapport across diverse business cultures.
A polished, credible, and professional approach to client engagement.

Personal attributes

Proactive, commercially minded, and motivated by measurable results.
Self-directed, organised, and disciplined in managing multiple opportunities.
Persistent and confident in initiating conversations, handling objections, and closing deals.
Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a multicultural environment.
High standards of integrity, discretion, and client confidentiality.

Additional Requirements

Currently based in the UAE, with a strong understanding of the local business environment.
Valid UAE driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Willingness to travel regularly for client meetings and business development activities across the Emirates.
Flexibility to attend relevant networking events and industry functions, including occasional events outside standard working hours.
Proficiency in CRM platforms, LinkedIn Sales Navigator or similar prospecting tools, and Microsoft Office.

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