Job Title:

Director, Strategic Business Development

Department: Strategic Business Development
Unit: Business Development & Partnerships
Reports to: VP, Business Development & Partnerships
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Purpose:

The Director of Strategic Business Development will lead the formulation of strategic business plans for Al-Ayuni Group by driving market intelligence, pipeline analysis, and feasibility assessments for development-stage (non-construction) projects.

This role is responsible for identifying and evaluating emerging opportunities, developing investment-grade business cases, and supporting sector prioritization in alignment with the Group’s long-term vision.

The Director will work closely with the Strategy and Business Development teams to ensure full integration, alignment, and consistency across all Group-wide strategic initiatives, including market entry, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions (M&A) opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the development of strategic business plans across the Group under the umbrella of the Business Development & Partnerships Unit, ensuring alignment with corporate and subsidiary-level objectives.
Conduct ongoing market intelligence and sector research to identify trends, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities relevant to Al-Ayuni’s positioning; deliver monthly and quarterly market reports.
Collaborate with the Business Development team to maintain and assess the Group-wide pipeline of strategic opportunities, using structured screening and prioritization methodologies to guide market-entry decisions.
Develop comprehensive business cases and feasibility studies for development-stage (non-construction) projects, including commercial, financial, and risk analyses, in coordination with the VP.
Co-develop the Group’s long-term business strategy in collaboration with the Strategy team, integrating market insights and corporate ambitions.
Evaluate potential entry into new sectors or business verticals in alignment with Group capabilities and strategic direction.
Provide strategic analysis and recommendations for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures in partnership with the Business Development and Strategy teams.
Oversee pre-development planning, screening, and validation activities with a unified governance framework.
Prepare high-quality strategic proposals, board presentations, and executive briefs for senior leadership.
Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Engineering, and Strategy departments to ensure strategic and operational cohesion in business planning.
Establish and manage a centralized pipeline tracking system, performance dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
Monitor and report on the performance of strategic initiatives, including conversion rates, business plan execution, and sector expansion.
Support the implementation of Group-wide policies and frameworks for strategic planning and business case development.
Co-lead the development of the Group ERP system with the Business Development team.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

VP, Business Development & Partnerships
Department VPs & Directors

External:

Business councils, investment forums, and strategic alliances
Research institutes

Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business Administration, Engineering, Economics, or a related field

Experience:

12–15 years of experience, with at least 5 years in senior business development or strategic planning roles.
Proven record in leading strategic growth initiatives within infrastructure, construction, or investment sectors.
Experience in both public and private sector engagement and business expansion strategies.

Skills & Competencies:

Strong expertise in strategic business development, market intelligence, and business case development.
In-depth understanding of strategic planning, market analysis, and corporate development.
Excellent analytical, commercial, and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple stakeholder interests and align initiatives with corporate objectives.
Familiarity with regional economic trends and regulatory frameworks.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Fluency in English (Arabic is a plus).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Contribution of strategic initiatives to overall business growth.
Number and quality of strategic opportunities, partnerships, and alliances initiated.
Market expansion and diversification achievements.
Execution efficiency and timeliness of strategic initiatives.

Director – Strategic Business Developme...