Business Development Manager

Role overview

Pace, part of the Architecture, Engineering and Planning sector, is hiring a Business Development Manager to support growth across Saudi Arabia, with a focus on Jiddah and expansion into emerging markets. The role centers on expanding the company’s market presence, building client relationships, guiding the BD team, and shaping strategies that align with the organization’s long-term direction.

What you’ll do

• Support the launch of Pace branches across Saudi Arabia and new markets.
• Track market conditions, pricing movements, historical patterns, and broader industry trends.
• Mentor and develop team members so they can take on greater responsibility.
• Work with BD leadership to spot opportunities with both new and existing clients.
• Carry out market research and suggest growth strategies for the Saudi market.
• Prepare project and client positioning materials, including prequalification documents and presentations for the bidding process.
• Strengthen market intelligence, information collection, and marketing efforts to uncover new opportunities and support the BD function.
• Identify learning and development needs and encourage growth plans for the team.
• Lead, direct, and motivate the business development team.
• Build and sustain relationships with managers, senior executives, and government stakeholders while keeping them updated on progress.
• Take part in proposal development, client presentations, and commercial negotiations.
• Own business development activities and use personal and professional networks to generate opportunities for Pace in Saudi Arabia.
• Study competitor strategies, pricing, market shifts, and policies to inform decision-making.
• Handle public relations and client-facing communication to strengthen Pace’s corporate reputation in the region.
• Support senior leaders in creating annual BD plans and broader growth strategies aligned with the company’s long-term vision.
• Review current, past, and future market performance with senior management.
• Assess proposal approaches, expected benefits, and risks, and negotiate terms in line with company policy and regional best practices.

Experience and background

• You should bring more than 15 years of business development leadership experience in the technical industry.
• A strong history of preparing business plans with detailed analysis and actionable insights is required.
• Prior success in business development roles within Saudi Arabia is important.
• You must have a proven record of winning new clients and growing business from existing accounts in the Saudi market.
• Familiarity with local laws, regulations, and business guidelines is expected.
• Experience working with both local and international companies in a similar industry is needed.

Education and certifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline is required.
• An MBA or similar postgraduate qualification is considered an advantage.
• Project management certification such as PMP or cost control certification such as CCP is highly desirable.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) certification is a plus.

Skills and competencies

• Strong written and spoken English and Arabic communication.
• Ability to analyze data, forecast outcomes, and manage budgeting.
• Confidence in creating and presenting persuasive business plans.
• Relevant technical exposure in architecture, interior design, infrastructure, and master planning.
• Skill in coordinating with cross-functional teams to build integrated acquisition strategies.
• Solid business management capability within a similar industry.
• Strong judgment and decision-making in a business development setting.
• Negotiation and influencing skills with a focus on balancing risk and business needs.
• Effective time management, including travel planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Organizational and planning strength to coordinate multiple parties.
• Good interpersonal ability to build positive internal and external relationships and represent the Pace brand.

Additional notes

The position requires a proactive approach to business growth, market intelligence, and stakeholder management. It also calls for close coordination with senior leadership on strategy, partnerships, and commercial planning across the region.