Head of Commercial & Business Development
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Experience: 10–15 years of experience in commercial management, business development, sales strategy, or related leadership roles.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Finance, or a related field. Master's degree is preferred.
Languages: English and Arabic
About the Client
Our client is a growing Saudi-based industrial organization operating in a specialized, project-driven environment. The company is at an important stage of growth and requires strong financial leadership to support business expansion, shareholder expectations, governance maturity, and operational discipline.
This is a dynamic and fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly, decisions are closely scrutinized, and leadership requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
About the Role
The Head of Commercial & Business Development will lead the company's commercial strategy, revenue growth, market expansion, client engagement, strategic partnerships, and business development agenda.
This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the CEO. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying high-impact business opportunities, developing commercial solutions, leading bids and proposals, negotiating contracts, managing strategic accounts, and building a strong commercial pipeline.
The role requires a commercially sharp, hands-on leader who can operate in a fast-paced environment, influence senior stakeholders, and convert business opportunities into sustainable revenue.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Commercial Leadership
Develop and execute the commercial and business development strategy in alignment with the company's vision and growth objectives. Translate strategic priorities into actionable commercial plans. Support market positioning, competitive advantage, and long-term business growth. Business Development & Market Expansion
Identify and assess high-value opportunities across priority sectors. Build a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities through proactive market development. Develop market entry and expansion strategies for local and international growth. Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments. Client Engagement & Strategic Accounts
Build and manage executive-level relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders. Understand client requirements and translate them into commercially viable solutions. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders. Represent the company in strategic meetings, forums, and commercial negotiations. Proposal, Bid & Contract Leadership
Lead end-to-end development of commercial proposals, bids, and client submissions. Ensure proposals are aligned with client requirements, commercial objectives, and internal capabilities. Lead contract negotiations, pricing discussions, risk mitigation, and deal closure. Ensure commercial agreements are profitable, compliant, and sustainable. Revenue Growth & Pipeline Management
Own revenue targets and drive performance through disciplined pipeline management. Oversee CRM usage, lead qualification, deal tracking, and forecasting accuracy. Review commercial KPIs and provide regular performance updates to leadership. Prepare board-level and executive reports on commercial performance and market opportunities. Product-Market Fit & Commercialization
Work closely with technical, product, and operational teams to convert capabilities into market-ready offerings. Support pricing strategies, customer solution design, and commercialization models. Ensure new solutions are aligned with customer needs and market demand. Government, Regulatory & Ecosystem Engagement
Engage with government entities, regulators, strategic partners, and ecosystem stakeholders. Identify public-sector opportunities and lead competitive proposal development. Support initiatives related to industrial localization and national development priorities. Project Oversight & Delivery Assurance
Oversee commercial projects to ensure delivery aligns with client expectations and contractual commitments. Coordinate with internal teams to ensure smooth execution, resource alignment, and client satisfaction. Support issue resolution and maintain strong stakeholder confidence throughout project delivery. Team Leadership & Capability Building
Build, lead, and develop a high-performing commercial and business development team. Create a culture of accountability, performance, innovation, and continuous improvement. Coach team members and support succession planning within the commercial function. Commercial Governance & Risk Management
Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and commercial governance requirements. Identify and mitigate risks related to contracts, partnerships, proposals, and client commitments. Maintain high standards of commercial discipline and documentation. Digital Tools & Commercial Technology
Leverage CRM, analytics, automation, and digital tools to improve sales effectiveness. Enhance forecasting, reporting, customer insights, and commercial decision-making. Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, Finance, or a related field. Master's degree is preferred. 10–15 years of experience in commercial management, business development, sales strategy, or related leadership roles. Proven track record of winning and executing significant contracts with multiple stakeholders. Experience in B2B environments with strong understanding of client needs, market dynamics, and complex solution selling. Experience in regulated industries, complex proposal development, and commercial governance. Prior experience leading teams and managing cross-functional collaboration is preferred. Required Skills & Competencies
Commercial strategy and execution Business development and market expansion Strategic account management Executive stakeholder management Proposal and bid management Contract negotiation and commercial risk management CRM and pipeline management Financial acumen, budgeting, and forecasting Market research and competitive analysis Project and program oversight Leadership, team development, and cross-functional collaboration Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills Data-driven decision-making and performance management Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted.