Head of Business Development

E-Commerce · Syria · Senior Leadership

About the role

We are building Syria’s premier e-commerce marketplace and need a commercially driven, well-networked Head of Business Development to unlock the partnerships, deals, and growth opportunities that will define our competitive position in the market.

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, sales, and relationship building. You will identify and close high-value partnerships — from logistics providers and payment processors to brand suppliers, corporate clients, and government stakeholders. You will be the company’s external face for growth, expanding the platform’s reach, revenue streams, and ecosystem from the ground up in a market full of untapped potential.

BD pillars you will own

Strategic Partnerships

Seller & Brand Deals

Payment & Logistics

Market Expansion

Gov & Institutional

Revenue Growth

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy aligned with the company’s growth objectives
• Identify, negotiate, and close high-impact partnerships across logistics, payments, brands, suppliers, and technology providers
• Build and manage a pipeline of strategic deals from initial outreach through negotiation, contracting, and onboarding
• Lead seller and brand acquisition at scale targeting major retailers, distributors, importers, and manufacturers in Syria
• Develop and grow B2B revenue streams corporate procurement, bulk buying programs, and white-label solutions
• Forge relationships with payment processors, banks, and fintech partners to expand payment options and financial services on the platform
• Engage with government bodies, trade associations, and regulatory authorities to build institutional support and compliance frameworks
• Identify and evaluate new market verticals, product categories, and geographic expansion opportunities
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and business forums across Syria and the MENA region
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, Operations, and Legal to structure and implement partnership agreements
• Track BD performance metrics pipeline value, deal velocity, partnership revenue, and market penetration
• Build and mentor a small BD team as the company scales

Key partnership focus areas

Supply & Brands

FMCG DistributorsElectronics BrandsFashion LabelsLocal Manufacturers

Infrastructure

3PL Providers Payment Gateways Banks & Fintech Telecom Partners

Institutional

Gov ProcurementTrade ChambersNGOs & INGOsInvestment Bodies

Growth Channels

Affiliate NetworksCorporate B2BMedia PartnersRegional Expansion

Requirements

• 8–12 years of business development, partnerships, or commercial experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Proven track record of closing complex, high-value deals in e-commerce, retail, technology, or FMCG sectors
• Deep understanding of Syria’s commercial landscape supplier networks, trade channels, and key business communities
• Strong existing network of business, government, and institutional contacts in Syria and ideally the broader MENA region
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills in Arabic (native) and English (professional)
• Highly entrepreneurial mindset comfortable building processes, pipelines, and teams from scratch
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into revenue
• Familiarity with contract structuring, commercial terms, and partnership agreement frameworks
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or a related field — MBA is a strong advantage

Certifications & qualifications

MBA – Strategy / BusinessCRM (HubSpot / Salesforce)Negotiation CertificationPMP (advantage)MENA Market ExpertiseArabic & English Fluency

Nice to have

• Prior experience at a marketplace, e-commerce platform, or high-growth startup in the MENA region
• Established relationships with major Syrian importers, distributors, and retail chains
• Experience navigating business development in complex regulatory or sanctions-affected environments
• Understanding of cross-border trade, import/export dynamics, and supply chain economics in Syria

What we offer

• Competitive senior-level salary with a performance-based deal bonus structure
• Freedom to build the BD function, team, and partnership ecosystem from scratch
• The opportunity to open doors that have never been opened in Syria’s e-commerce space
• Travel budget for business meetings, industry events, and regional conferences