Higher Education MENA Sales Manager

Role Overview

Higher Education MENA Sales Manager at Informa Group Plc., based in Dubai with frequent travel across the Middle East.

Company Overview

Informa is a leading academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge, and events business listed on the London Stock Exchange and a member of the FTSE 100. Taylor & Francis is one of the world's largest publishers of high-quality peer-reviewed scholarly journals, books, e-books, and reference works. The company's purpose is to foster human progress through knowledge.

Role Purpose

Lead textbook and learning solutions revenue growth across Gulf higher education markets by building strategic relationships with institutions and delivering tailored educational solutions. Success requires consultative sales expertise, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to position offerings as essential resources for academic excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Planning and Execution

• Plan, schedule, and carry out regular sales visits to customers to achieve financial targets within your sales region.
• Customize sales documentation and tools to maximize sales opportunities.
• Establish a strategic approach to short-, medium-, and long-term business on territory to ensure activity is relevant and flexible to the evolving trading environment.

Account and Relationship Management

• Cultivate strong, holistic relationships with your customer base to ensure trading with each account is sustainable, profitable, and delivers high customer satisfaction.
• Increase Taylor & Francis influence in the library market and beyond by cultivating a network of contacts across the region.
• Develop extensive interaction with consortia in collaboration with Higher Education Textbooks.

Market Intelligence and Reporting

• Report periodically to the Head of Sales on sales progress and the business environment to ensure responsiveness to micro and macro trading conditions.
• Collect and disseminate market, competitor, and customer feedback, including passing on leads.
• Represent the company externally on working party groups or through networks, maintaining a presence and information gathering role on the trading environment.

Strategic Collaboration

• Act as liaison with Product Development in support of solution-specific sales that respond to customer needs.
• Partner with Editorial, Open Access, Marketing, and other departments to design and lead specific strategic initiatives in cooperation with key stakeholders.
• Actively liaise with stakeholder departments and groups within the business to enhance Taylor & Francis coverage of the territory.
• Prepare for and contribute to sales meetings and events to build strategic awareness and gather market-relevant intelligence.
• Work closely with the Head of Higher Education Sales, Higher Education Sales colleagues, MENA Sales teams, and Channel Partners to develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies that align institutional needs with company objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Excellent knowledge of and experience selling to the higher education market.
• Proven track record of formulating and implementing successful sales strategies.
• Experience working in a sales environment primarily with established B2B partnerships.
• Ability to influence, drive for results, and establish clear agenda for key stakeholders in your territory.
• Target-driven approach and skills to manage sales plans and delivery.
• Ability to create and maintain positive and effective relationships with the sales team and other internal colleagues.
• Deep understanding of the regional higher education landscape, including cultural nuances and institutional buying behaviors.
• Arabic language skills would be a distinct advantage.
• Right to live and work in UAE required.

Skills & Competencies

• Professional manner with the ability to approach others tactfully while reacting well under pressure.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach with a focus on driving progress and achieving results.
• Strong consultative sales skills and the ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet customer needs.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex or diverse information with proven experience collecting and researching data.
• Problem-solving skills including identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner and developing alternative solutions while working alone or in a group.
• Clear oral communicator who can speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations while being a strong listener.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Team player who can balance both team and individual responsibilities and build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Leader who exhibits confidence in self and others by inspiring and motivating others to perform well.
• Demonstrated business acumen by understanding business implications of decisions, displaying orientation to profitability, and demonstrating knowledge of market and competition.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to make data-driven decisions.
• Results-oriented mindset with a strong focus on achieving and exceeding sales targets.

Additional Information

• Position requires frequent travel across the Middle East territory for key client meetings and industry events.
• When not traveling for business, you will be required to attend the Dubai office 3 days per week for in-person collaboration with colleagues.
• Candidates must live within a commutable distance of the Dubai office to ensure balanced working arrangements and ability to collaborate as required.
• Contract type: Full-time.
• Work pattern: 3 days per week in office; flexibility to work from home or remotely when not in the office or at conferences.
• Application closing date: 12 October 2026. Applications are shortlisted on a rolling basis; early application is encouraged.
• Taylor & Francis is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
• Adjustments for candidates with disabilities or other barriers are available upon request; contact indulekha.singh@tandfindia.com.
• The company promotes work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working arrangements.