Business Development Manager, Corporate

About the role

Hawksford is looking for an experienced, commercially driven Business Development Manager to grow its corporate services business in the UAE. The role focuses on originating and closing new business for company incorporation and market entry, corporate administration, management, accounting, tax and ongoing compliance services. It suits someone with a strong commercial mindset, a proven track record in the industry and an established network of intermediaries, referral partners and business introducers in the UAE.

Key responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end business development cycle, from origination and qualification through proposal, negotiation and closing, with accountability for revenue targets.
• Manage and convert inbound opportunities into qualified prospects and long-term clients, keeping a disciplined pipeline and follow-up.
• Activate and expand an existing network of intermediaries and business introducers to generate recurring referrals.
• Proactively identify new opportunities beyond existing channels, including direct prospects, strategic partnerships and sector-focused initiatives.
• Understand client needs and position the right mix of company setup, corporate administration, accounting, tax, payroll, immigration and compliance services.
• Build revenue streams across priority client segments, international corridors and sectors.
• Work with operations, compliance, accounting and tax teams to hand over signed engagements and support onboarding.
• Maintain an accurate pipeline, monitor conversion performance and share market feedback on demand, competitors, pricing and partnership opportunities.

Required profile

• Already resident and working in the UAE, with knowledge of the local business environment and market-entry ecosystem.
• Minimum 4-5 years of business development experience in corporate services, professional or corporate consultancy, trade and investment promotion, or institutional trade and investment organisations.
• Demonstrated success originating and closing company incorporation or market entry deals, and corporate administration, accounting, tax and/or compliance services.
• An active network of intermediaries, referral partners, advisers and business introducers.
• Good understanding of UAE corporate structures, foreign investment considerations and the needs of international businesses setting up in the UAE.

Required skills

• Strong commercial judgement, confidence discussing scope and fees, and disciplined pipeline and negotiation management.
• Consultative selling: translating complex service requirements into clear commercial proposals.
• Excellent communication, relationship management and senior client-facing skills.
• Ability to develop international referral channels and support cross-border clients entering the UAE.
• Advantage: Mandarin or German; strong analytical skills.

High performers can broaden their responsibilities and take on more strategic work as the business grows in the UAE and wider Middle East. Interested candidates can contact Hawksford's Dubai team by email or phone.