Business Development Manager – Catering & Events
Location: Dubai
Reporting To: Managing Director
Role Overview:
We are seeking a results-driven Business Development Manager with strong UAE experience in events, catering, hospitality and related support services. The role will be responsible for developing new business opportunities, expanding the client portfolio and driving revenue growth through direct sales, networking, proposals, commercial negotiations and long-term relationship management. Strong Catering & Events experience is a key requirement for this position.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities across corporate events, external catering, contract catering, hospitality and support services.
- Build a strong pipeline through networking, referrals, client visits, industry events, exhibitions and market research.
- Develop relationships with corporate clients, government entities, hospitality groups, event agencies, educational institutions and other potential customers.
- Manage the complete business development cycle from lead generation and requirement gathering through proposal submission, negotiation and contract closure.
- Coordinate preparation of commercial proposals, quotations, costing and tender/RFP submissions.
- Understand client requirements and work with internal teams to develop suitable catering, event and service solutions.
- Negotiate commercial terms while ensuring sustainable revenue and margin expectations.
- Identify opportunities for repeat business, cross-selling and account expansion.
- Work closely with Operations, Finance and service-delivery teams to support smooth mobilisation of newly acquired contracts.
- Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, pipeline reports and business-development updates.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and emerging business opportunities.
- Achieve assigned monthly and annual revenue targets.
Candidate Profile:
- Minimum 5+ years of Business Development / B2B Sales experience in the UAE.
- Strong and demonstrable experience in Events is essential.
- Experience in event catering, external catering, contract catering, hospitality or related services is highly preferred.
- Proven ability to acquire new clients and generate revenue.
- Experience in proposals, quotations, commercial negotiations and contract closure.
- Strong UAE client network and market understanding.
- Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-management skills.
- Arabic-speaking candidates preferred.
- UAE driving licence preferred.
- Must be comfortable working in a target-driven, hands-on business development role.
