About the job Job Title: Growth & Strategic Partner Manager Location: Dubai About Us We are a successful US IT services firm operating in Dubai for over twenty years with an ambitious digital marketplace product recently launched in the UAE and KSA , focused on building vibrant, high-value communities that connect buyers and vendors across government and private sectors. Our platform thrives on active vendor participation and meaningful community engagement.—Our success depends on attracting, onboarding, and retaining vendors and consumers The Opportunity We are seeking a bold, proactive Head of Vendor Relations who thrives on building relationships face-to-face, energizing communities, and driving tangible results. This is a high-impact, outward-facing role for someone passionate about being on the ground, meeting marketplace participants, and ensuring the platform’s commercial success. Key Responsibilities Community Engagement & Outreach • Actively go out and meet community members, buyers, and potential vendors—be the visible ambassador of our platform. • Engage with small and medium enterprises by onboarding them onto marketplaces to create value that drives sustainable revenue growth. • Build strong relationships with key community stakeholders to understand their needs and identify relevant vendor opportunities. • Organize and attend in-person events, networking sessions, and community gatherings to promote the marketplace and attract new vendors. Vendor Acquisition & Retention • This role is entirely “Feet on Field” with an external focus on engaging community that includes vendors & buyers. • Identify, approach, and convince high-potential vendors to join the platform and pay exposure fees to drive sustainable revenue growth for themselves & to the community • Clearly articulate the value proposition of displaying on our platform to relevant vendors. • Ensure vendors are successfully onboarded, supported, and remain engaged, maximizing their satisfaction and retention. Revenue Focus & Accountability • Take ownership of exposure fee revenue targets—your efforts directly impact the platform’s financial success. • Monitor vendor relevance and performance, ensuring only quality vendors are showcased to the community. • Proactively address any risk of vendor churn, understanding that our business model relies on continuous vendor participation and fee generation. Cross-Functional Leadership • Collaborate with product, marketing, and operations teams to align community and vendor strategies. • Channel market and vendor feedback to internal teams for ongoing improvement. Who You Are • A natural relationship builder who loves being out in the field, meeting people, and representing your company. • 2 to 5 years front-end facing experience, including having worked in the B2B world of taking digital services or products to market • Experienced in vendor acquisition, business development —ideally in a marketplace, SaaS, or startup environment. • Commercially driven, with a track record of achieving revenue or growth targets through direct outreach. • Able to communicate values and negotiate effectively with diverse stakeholders. • Entrepreneurial, hands-on, and resilient—comfortable with the high stakes of a revenue share model. • Fluent in English; Arabic language skills are a strong advantage. • Ready to work in a fast-paced, multicultural UAE setting. What We Offer • The chance to build and own the customer success function in a high-growth startup. • Direct influence on the platform’s commercial trajectory and community impact. • Competitive compensation, performance-based incentives, and significant career growth potential. Are you ready to be the face of our marketplace, drive real-world engagement, and deliver commercial results? • Apply now with your CV and a brief statement on how you would attract and retain fee-paying vendors in a community-driven marketplace.