Business Development & Client Relations Specialist

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Business Development & Client Relations Specialist to join KAUST Academy’s team and play a pivotal role in expanding our reach across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this position, you will be instrumental in driving customer acquisition, fostering long-term client relationships, and collaborating with our academic and operations teams to deliver tailored training solutions that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 workforce development goals. Your responsibilities will include developing and executing go-to-market strategies, managing the Etimad platform processes, and ensuring seamless communication of KAUST Academy’s offerings to both government and private sector clients. This role is ideal for a proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about contributing to the growth of a leading educational institution.

Key Responsibilities

The Business Development & Client Relations Specialist will be responsible for the following core functions:

• Customer Acquisition & Market Development:
  • Prospect and engage new customers across government entities, semi-government organizations, and private sector companies to promote KAUST Academy’s training and development programs.
  • Develop and deliver compelling pitch presentations that effectively communicate the value of KAUST Academy’s programs and uncover new business opportunities.
  • Create and maintain a robust go-to-market strategy, including setting and tracking yearly business development targets to ensure sustainable growth.
• Customer Relationship Management & Needs Analysis:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for customer inquiries via the Academy’s dedicated email inbox, ensuring prompt and professional responses to foster trust and engagement.
  • Collaborate closely with the Academic team to analyze customer training needs and develop customized program solutions that address specific requirements.
  • Present tailored program proposals to clients, secure their approval, and drive buy-in for KAUST Academy’s offerings.
  • Maintain a comprehensive customer relationship database to track interactions, pipeline progress, and follow-up activities for optimal relationship management.
• Etimad & Procurement Platform Management:
  • Oversee all processes related to the Etimad platform, including supplier registration, tender submissions, and adherence to government procurement regulations.
  • Monitor upcoming government tenders that align with KAUST Academy’s service offerings and coordinate bid preparation activities to maximize success rates.
• Market Intelligence & Reporting:
  • Conduct in-depth research on market trends, industry developments, and competitor activities to inform strategic decision-making and maintain KAUST Academy’s competitive edge.
  • Provide regular reports to management on business development pipeline performance, customer engagement activities, and progress against annual targets.

Qualifications & Skills

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field is essential.
• Experience: A minimum of 4 years of proven experience in business development, client relations, or sales roles, preferably within the education, training, or professional services sector. Prior experience with Saudi government procurement platforms, such as Etimad, is highly advantageous.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in both Arabic and English is required to effectively engage with stakeholders and clients across diverse sectors.
• Required Skills:
  • Business Development: A track record of identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, building robust client pipelines, and establishing strong relationships with stakeholders in both public and private sectors within Saudi Arabia.
  • Communication & Presentation: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive pitch presentations, articulate complex program offerings clearly, and maintain professional client correspondence in both Arabic and English.
  • Training Solutions Knowledge: The capacity to understand customer training needs, collaborate with academic teams to design program solutions, and effectively communicate the value of learning offerings to clients.
  • Target-Driven & Results-Oriented: A proactive mindset with the ability to work towards defined yearly business development targets and deliver measurable results.