SVP, New Business Development - Education Growth Markets

About the role

e7 Group is seeking an accomplished SVP, New Business Development for its Education Growth Markets, to lead the international expansion of its Education business beyond the UAE. The role builds and executes a new-market growth engine across MENA, Africa and Central Asia, using government-to-government and B2G channels, strategic partnerships, school and education operator networks and integrated education solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Translate the education strategy into country-by-country market-entry plans, covering target segments, customer profiles, routes to market, partners, pricing and funding models.
• Lead business development in priority growth markets and evaluate additional markets, assessing attractiveness, competition, regulatory requirements and commercial potential.
• Originate opportunities through B2G/G2G channels, government tenders, private and international school groups, IB schools, consortia and major operators, and build relationships with ministries, authorities, donors and publishers.
• Lead complex proposals, tender responses and commercial propositions from opportunity through negotiation and closure, and define partnership and consortium models.
• Build a qualified pipeline of integrated education solutions such as print and digital solutions, examination materials, e-readers, LMS, OER content, teacher resources and managed services, and drive account-based growth.
• Work with other e7 businesses to cross-sell education solutions and develop alliances with publishers, EdTech companies and funding partners; coordinate local and regional partners.
• Manage the pipeline with stages, revenue potential and probability, set commercial and pricing models, run executive-level reporting and ensure CRM discipline.
• Structure pilots and proof-of-concepts, convert them into institutional or country-level opportunities, and capture market intelligence.
• Develop market-specific sales materials, product packs, case studies and outbound campaigns, and equip regional teams with the right tools and messaging.

Required profile

• 15+ years of experience in international business development, education services, B2G/G2G, public-sector sales, EdTech, publishing, PPPs, donor-funded programs or emerging-market expansion.
• Demonstrated success originating, developing and closing complex institutional deals, with experience working with ministries, government entities, school systems and large education operators.
• Proven ability to develop and execute market-entry strategies in emerging and growth markets, and experience navigating complex procurement and tendering environments.
• Strong commercial modelling, negotiation, proposal development and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Bachelor's degree required; an MBA or postgraduate qualification in International Business, Education Management, Public Policy, Development Finance or Business Administration is preferred.
• Emerging-market experience across MENA, Africa and/or Central Asia is strongly preferred, and international travel is required.