Business Development Specialist

Business Development Specialist (Sales & Presales) – Riyadh (Onsite). NATIVE ARABIC REQUIRED

Job Overview

We are seeking an ambitious Business Development Specialist to lead end-to-end sales and presales activities for our digital solutions team in Riyadh. This full-time, onsite role will be responsible for driving business growth through proactive sales and business development efforts – from scouting new opportunities and responding to RFPs to conducting client meetings and closing deals. Working closely with the Digital Solutions Director, the Business Development Specialist will craft compelling proposals and manage the entire presales process. The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter with strong communication skills, a strategic mindset, and a proven track record in B2B sales. This position is a mid-level individual contributor role (no direct staff management), offering the opportunity to shape our client acquisition strategy and contribute significantly to the company's growth, in alignment with both international best practices and local Saudi market dynamics.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

Identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive sales growth, including proactive prospecting (cold calls, networking, LinkedIn outreach) and arranging meetings with prospective clients. Develop and implement effective sales strategies to meet or exceed revenue targets, and build strong relationships with new and existing customers for long-term business.

RFP Scouting & Response

Monitor relevant tender portals and industry channels for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other bidding opportunities. Lead the end-to-end process of evaluating, qualifying, and responding to RFPs – including coordinating requirements, writing tailored proposals, and ensuring timely submission. Craft persuasive proposals and presentations in coordination with the Digital Solutions Director and technical teams, aligning solutions with client needs and RFP criteria.

Client Engagement & Meetings

Coordinate and conduct client meetings and presentations to pitch our company's digital solutions. Understand client requirements and objectives, and effectively present product/service offerings that address those needs. Serve as the primary point of contact for potential clients – from initial outreach and sales presentations through to negotiations and deal closure. Provide trustworthy consultation and after-sales support to nurture client relationships and ensure customer satisfaction.

Proposal Development

Take ownership of the company's sales collateral and proposal development process. Draft, refine, and customize proposals, quotes, and client presentations, maintaining high-quality standards and consistency with the company's branding and value propositions. Maintain up-to-date company profiles, case studies, and proposal templates, ensuring they reflect our latest offerings and success stories. Work closely with the Digital Solutions Director to incorporate technical solution details and innovate on proposal content for competitive advantage.

CRM Management

Manage the sales pipeline and customer data using our CRM system (Zoho CRM preferred). Ensure CRM hygiene by logging all leads, interactions, and opportunities, and regularly update deal stages and forecasts. Leverage CRM analytics to track performance metrics (e.g. lead conversion rates, sales cycle length) and to prioritize opportunities. Use the CRM to generate regular reports on business development activities, providing transparency and insights to the management team.

Presales Coordination

Oversee all presales activities leading up to deal closure. This includes qualifying incoming leads, understanding client needs through discovery sessions, and liaising with internal experts to devise appropriate solutions. Act as the link between the client and internal teams during the proposal phase, ensuring client questions are addressed and solutions are clearly communicated. Manage demos or proof-of-concepts if required (with support from technical staff), and handle objections or clarifications during the sales cycle. Ultimately, ensure a smooth handover of closed deals to the delivery/project teams.

Innovation Programs

Scout and engage with the innovation ecosystem to expand business opportunities. Identify and apply to relevant hackathons, startup growth programs, and innovation challenge competitions that align with our business domain. Represent the company in these forums (either by pitching our solutions or forming partnerships) to showcase our capabilities and gain visibility. Leverage such events to network with potential clients or partners and to stay abreast of emerging industry trends.

Market Intelligence & Strategy

Conduct research on market trends, competitor offerings, and customer needs to inform business development strategy. Provide feedback and market insights to internal teams – for example, relay client requirements or emerging demand areas to help tailor our service offerings. Stay informed about developments in the Saudi/GCC market and the digital solutions industry, including participating in industry conferences or exhibitions as needed. Use this intelligence to refine sales approaches and identify niches or innovative approaches for business growth.

Reporting & KPI Management

Maintain clear documentation of sales activities and results. Track key performance indicators such as number of new leads, meetings, proposals submitted, RFP win rate, and sales closed. Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on business development progress, pipeline status, and forecasts. Use data to identify bottlenecks in the sales cycle and propose improvements. Ensure accountability by updating CRM and other tracking tools with accurate data on a timely basis.

Collaboration & Compliance

Collaborate with cross-functional teams including marketing, product development, and finance to ensure alignment in presales efforts and client communications. Work with marketing to develop any needed sales enablement materials or campaigns for lead generation. Ensure all sales activities and proposals comply with company policies and any relevant legal or regulatory requirements (e.g. government tender regulations, contract terms). Uphold high ethical standards in dealing with clients, partners, and confidential information.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field is required. An MBA or relevant master's degree is a plus.

Experience

Minimum 5 years of experience in B2B sales/business development, ideally within Saudi Arabia or GCC. Proven track record leading the full sales cycle: prospecting, proposal development, negotiations, closing. RFP response and proposal management experience is highly desirable.

Sales & Presales Skills

Demonstrated ability to craft effective proposals, present solutions, negotiate contracts, and close deals. Experience interacting with senior stakeholders. Presales or technical solutioning exposure is a plus.

Communication & Language

Excellent communication skills in both Arabic & English (written and verbal). Strong business writing skills required.

Technical Proficiency

Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). Hands-on CRM experience required; Zoho CRM is a strong plus. Familiarity with government e-procurement/tendering portals (e.g., Etimad) beneficial.

Market & Domain Knowledge

Strong understanding of the Saudi market, cultural norms, and business practices. Knowledge of digital solutions/technology sectors is an advantage.

Organizational Skills

Ability to manage multiple leads, proposals, and deadlines simultaneously. Attention to detail and strong task prioritization skills.

Interpersonal Skills

Strong relationship-building abilities and confidence engaging with clients. Team player capable of coordinating across departments.

Certifications (Optional but Advantageous)

Sales certifications (CSE), proposal management certifications (APMP), negotiation training (Miller Heiman, SPIN), CRM certifications (Zoho).

Personal Attributes

Self-driven, motivated, adaptive, resilient, and able to represent the company professionally with integrity.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

Performance-based incentives/commissions

Health insurance

Annual paid leave

End-of-service benefits

Visa/Iqama sponsorship