We are looking for a commercially driven Business Development Consultant to join our Dubai team.
This is a new-business-focused role for someone who enjoys building a market, developing relationships from the ground up and turning opportunities into long-term, revenue-generating client accounts.
You will be responsible for identifying companies with hiring needs, opening conversations with senior decision-makers and positioning Antal as a recruitment partner. The role requires someone who is comfortable taking ownership of the entire business development process — from identifying a target company and making the first approach through to winning the mandate and developing the account.
What you will be doing
- Identify and target companies with current and upcoming recruitment and talent requirements across the UAE and GCC.
- Build your own pipeline through market mapping, cold calling, LinkedIn outreach, networking, referrals and face-to-face meetings.
- Connect with CEOs, Business Heads, HR Directors, Talent Acquisition leaders and other senior decision-makers.
- Understand each client's business, hiring challenges and growth plans and position Antal’s recruitment and executive search solutions accordingly.
- Pitch Antal’s capabilities and demonstrate how we can support clients with their hiring requirements.
- Win new recruitment mandates and retained/contingency search assignments.
- Negotiate recruitment fees, commercial terms and client agreements.
- Work closely with the recruitment team to ensure mandates are delivered successfully and clients receive a strong level of service.
- Build new accounts beyond the initial assignment by identifying additional hiring opportunities across functions, business units and geographies.
- Maintain an active pipeline of prospects, meetings, proposals and live opportunities.
- Take ownership of individual revenue targets and business development activity.
- Continuously map the market for new companies, investments, expansions and other developments that could create hiring opportunities.
What we are looking for
- Proven experience in Business Development, B2B Sales, Recruitment, Executive Search, Consulting or Professional Services.
- Fluency in an Eastern European language, in addition to English, would be an advantage.
- A demonstrable record of winning new clients, closing business and generating revenue.
- Someone who is comfortable developing business from scratch rather than relying on an existing client portfolio.
- Strong commercial instincts and the confidence to approach senior stakeholders directly.
- Excellent networking, presentation, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Strong English communication skills.
- UAE/GCC business development experience would be an advantage.
- A proactive and resilient approach with the ability to stay focused on opportunities through a longer sales cycle.
Who will succeed in this role?
We are particularly interested in proven business developers who can talk numbers — revenue generated, clients acquired, accounts opened, targets achieved and business won.
You should enjoy the hunt for new business, be comfortable creating your own opportunities and have the commercial drive to turn a first conversation into a long-term client relationship.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to build and grow your own portfolio of clients within Antal International's global recruitment network, with clear ownership of your market, relationships and revenue.