Business Development Executive - Government & Strategic Relationships

About the role

Vibes Events, an Abu Dhabi-based events staffing company serving the UAE and the wider region, is looking for a research-driven, proactive Business Development Executive to join its Government & Strategic Relationships (GSR) function. You will support the GSR Director in building a qualified pipeline of government and semi-government opportunities through market intelligence, tender monitoring and business development support, while keeping the company close to clients through follow-up, event and exhibition visits and won-and-lost reporting. The role is based in Abu Dhabi with some travel to Dubai and other Emirates.

Key responsibilities

• Research new projects and opportunities across the UAE government and semi-government landscape and monitor market developments
• Maintain a calendar of recurring and newly announced events, exhibitions, conferences and festivals, including organisers, venues, dates and known client connections
• Review daily quotations and projects lost, flagging opportunities that need GSR support and informing the Commercial Projects Team early
• Track and monitor RFPs, RFQs and tenders for government, semi-government and strategic clients, adding new opportunities to the pipeline
• Support client hunting with the Director, identifying potential clients, sectors, exhibitors and production companies
• Follow each opportunity through introduction, meeting, quotation, follow-up, outcome and next action
• Strengthen relationships with key clients through calls, meetings and onsite visits, maintain client tiering and reconnect with inactive clients
• Plan and run regular visits to events and exhibitions at ADNEC, DWTC, DEC and other venues, gathering client feedback and competitor observations
• Maintain records in HubSpot, the government target database and the GSR opportunity tracker
• Prepare the monthly GSR Won and Lost Report and the biweekly GSR review for the Chief Commercial Officer, and provide administrative support to the GSR function

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, International Relations or a related field
• 3-6 years of experience in research, business development support or a related coordination role
• Strong research and analytical skills with close attention to detail
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple opportunities and tenders at once
• Confident and professional with clients, organisers and exhibitors, in person and by phone
• Fluent English (written and spoken); Arabic is an advantage
• Valid UAE driving licence for regular site and event visits

Required skills

• Good Excel and reporting skills for tracking opportunities and preparing reports
• Knowledge of the UAE events and exhibitions landscape (ADNEC, DWTC, DEC) and CRM experience (HubSpot or similar) are advantageous