Senior Business Development Manager – GCC & Middle East Market

Role Overview

Senior Business Development Manager – GCC & Middle East Market at Palazzo Versace Dubai, based in the Middle East region.

Role Purpose

Lead the development and growth of the GCC and wider Middle East market by leveraging an established network across luxury travel channels, developing strategic market plans, and converting industry relationships into measurable revenue and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute the annual GCC & Middle East business development strategy in line with commercial objectives.
• Identify and develop new revenue opportunities within established and emerging GCC source markets.
• Develop a structured pipeline of new accounts and opportunities and ensure consistent follow-up and conversion.
• Support the development of annual budgets, sales targets, and account plans.

Business Development & Sales

• Drive new business acquisition while strengthening relationships with existing key accounts.
• Manage and grow production from existing accounts, with clear targets for room nights, revenue, bookings, and market share where applicable.
• Develop joint business opportunities, tactical campaigns, promotions, preferred partnerships, and sales initiatives with key trade partners.
• Ensure commercial activities deliver measurable ROI and revenue contribution.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain a strong network of travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel advisors, wholesalers, and strategic partners.
• Establish strong relationships with key decisionmakers, owners and senior management within major travel companies and strategic corporate accounts.
• Conduct regular sales visits, presentations, trade events, workshops, webinars, and roadshows across the region.

Market Intelligence & Reporting

• Monitor competitor activity, market trends, consumer demand, and distribution developments.
• Provide regular market intelligence, pipeline updates, account performance reports, and actionable recommendations to senior management.

Internal Collaboration & Execution

• Work closely with hotel sales, marketing, revenue management, and operations teams to ensure commercial opportunities are converted effectively.
• Represent the company and its portfolio at major regional and international travel trade exhibitions and industry events.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong network across GCC and Middle East source markets.
• Established relationships across luxury concierge agents, travel agencies, tour operators, DMCs, luxury travel specialists, retail travel groups, and relevant corporate and government affluent travel segments.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic market planning and commercial acumen.
• Business development and new business acquisition.
• Account management and relationship building.
• Sales presentation and negotiation.
• Market analysis and competitive intelligence.
• Reporting and data-driven decision-making.