Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships

About the role

We are looking for a dynamic Head of Partnerships & Sponsorships to lead the development of strategic brand collaborations that enrich GEMS Education’s rewards programme and school‑based events. Reporting to the SVP of Loyalty, you will drive partnership acquisition, revenue generation and the delivery of bespoke member experiences across our network of schools in the UAE.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, negotiate and sign at least 100 new partners in the first year to expand the rewards ecosystem.
• Develop alliances with key brands to create tailored reward experiences for different member tiers.
• Lead the planning and execution of partnership‑driven events, supported by a Marketing Executive.
• Ensure compliance with GEMS values, policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with the SVP to recruit and build a high‑performing Sponsorship department.
• Foster a culture of learning, knowledge sharing and continuous innovation within the team.
• Identify and capture revenue‑generating opportunities within the school network.
• Support the creation of a central Partnerships/Sponsorships function to leverage scale and drive event‑related income.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Marketing or Humanities.
• Minimum five years of direct sales experience.
• At least five years of proven experience creating partnerships and securing sponsorships in the UAE.

Required skills