Business Development Manager - AI & Sovereign Intelligence

Role overview

This position is for a senior business development professional focused on expanding commercial opportunities for AI, sovereign intelligence, big data, and related technology offerings. The role is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with an initial remote setup and a planned move to on-site working later. The job also involves regular travel across the GCC, MENA, Europe, and North America.

The package includes a strong base salary along with uncapped commission linked to performance.

You will work directly with the CEO and help shape the company’s go-to-market direction while building long-term partnerships with ministries, defence bodies, intelligence organizations, and enterprise leaders.

About the business

The employer develops AI-enabled intelligence tools, identity intelligence solutions, big data analytics, and sovereign computing technology used by government agencies, defence organizations, and critical infrastructure operators. Their products are designed to turn complex data into practical intelligence that supports resilience, operational visibility, and better decision-making.

As the company grows internationally, it is looking for a commercially strong professional who already understands this market, knows the right stakeholders, and can open high-level conversations across government and enterprise networks.

Key responsibilities

• Create fresh business opportunities with government, defence, intelligence, critical infrastructure, and enterprise clients across the GCC and other international markets.
• Use an existing network to build trusted relationships with ministries, sovereign entities, defence organizations, intelligence agencies, and senior business decision-makers.
• Manage complex consultative sales processes for AI, intelligence, big data, and sovereign technology solutions from first contact through contract award.
• Form strategic partnerships with systems integrators, technology vendors, and government stakeholders to support growth in target markets.

Candidate profile

The company is seeking someone with a proven history of winning new business in AI, intelligence platforms, sovereign technology, big data analytics, or similarly advanced government technology areas. This background is considered essential.

You should already have an established contact base across GCC government ministries, defence organizations, intelligence agencies, sovereign entities, or strategic technology partners.

Success in selling complex technology programmes into government, defence, or tightly regulated enterprise environments with long sales cycles is important, as is a strong grasp of public-sector procurement, tendering, and stakeholder management.

Who this role is for

This opportunity is best suited to a recognised business developer in the AI and sovereign intelligence space who already has trusted relationships in government, defence, or intelligence circles. You should be comfortable working in environments where discretion, credibility, and sustained relationship-building matter.

The role is aimed at a proactive commercial hunter rather than someone dependent on inbound leads. You should be able to use your market knowledge and network to uncover opportunities that others cannot access.

Additional information

The employer has made it clear that prior commercial experience in AI, intelligence, sovereign technology, or closely related government technology sectors is required. Candidates without this background are unlikely to be shortlisted.

This is a confidential search, and the next step is a private conversation with the hiring team.