Growth & Operations Lead (UAE)

About this role

UAE Growth & Operations Lead
Dubai, UAE | Full-time
We are looking for a UAE Growth & Operations Lead to help build the next chapter of INTERWEAVE in the region.
This is a pivotal role for INTERWEAVE: part business development, part market builder, part local operator.
Based in Dubai, you will work closely with our Founder & CEO and leadership team to establish and grow INTERWEAVE's presence across the UAE and, progressively, the wider GCC.
Your mission is twofold: build the business and build the platform around it.
You will open doors, create relationships, identify opportunities, develop partnerships and help convert conversations into meaningful business. At the same time, you will take ownership of the day-to-day development of our Dubai presence — helping us establish the right ecosystem of partners, suppliers, networks, processes and local infrastructure needed for sustainable growth.
We are not looking for someone to simply "sell agency services."
We are looking for an entrepreneurial, commercially sharp professional who understands how business is done in the UAE, can navigate senior decision-makers, spots opportunities before they become briefs, and is excited by the challenge of helping build a market from the ground up.
INTERWEAVE operates at the intersection of Consulting, Creative and Technology, working with ambitious organisations on transformation, strategy, brands, experiences, digital ecosystems, AI and innovation.
You will help translate this proposition into the UAE market.
As UAE Growth & Operations Lead, you will:
Drive UAE & GCC growth

• Develop and execute INTERWEAVE's business development approach for the UAE, with progressive expansion into priority GCC markets.

• Identify high-potential sectors, organisations, decision-makers and opportunities aligned with our expertise.

• Build and manage a qualified pipeline across consulting, brand, experience, digital, technology, AI and integrated transformation opportunities.

• Proactively open doors and build relationships with C-level executives, founders, government and semi-government organisations, developers, hospitality groups, destination organisations, cultural institutions and other strategic prospects.

• Attend meetings, conferences, industry gatherings and networking opportunities, representing INTERWEAVE with confidence and credibility.

• Develop strategic partnerships, referral networks and alliances that can accelerate our presence in the region.

• Identify RFPs, tenders, procurement opportunities and major transformation programmes relevant to our capabilities.

• Take ownership of opportunities from first conversation through qualification, proposal, negotiation and close.
Turn opportunities into strong propositions

• Understand the real business challenge behind the brief and connect it with the right INTERWEAVE capabilities.

• Work closely with our strategy, consulting, creative, technology and leadership teams to shape compelling solutions.

• Scope opportunities and contribute to proposals, credentials, pitch decks, budgets, commercial models and presentations.

• Coordinate responses to RFPs and tenders, ensuring quality, relevance and timely submission.

• Participate in and, increasingly, lead client presentations and commercial conversations.

• Maintain disciplined pipeline management, forecasting and follow-up through our CRM.
Build INTERWEAVE's Dubai presence

• Act as the key day-to-day INTERWEAVE representative on the ground in Dubai.

• Support the establishment and continuous development of our local operating setup.

• Coordinate relationships with local service providers, business partners, workspace providers and other operational stakeholders.

• Work with our central finance, people and operations teams to ensure smooth local administration and business operations.

• Help establish efficient processes for prospects, clients, suppliers and partners in the UAE.

• Support local recruitment and onboarding as the Dubai team grows.

• Help us understand how INTERWEAVE needs to adapt - commercially and operationally - to succeed in the market without losing what makes us INTERWEAVE.
Build our network, intelligence & visibility

• Develop a strong ecosystem around INTERWEAVE across business, government, technology, innovation, hospitality, real estate, culture and the creative industries.

• Continuously map the market: major organisations, investment programmes, government agendas, upcoming developments, competitors and emerging opportunities.

• Bring market intelligence back into the company and help leadership determine where we should focus.

• Identify relevant communities, associations, events, awards, platforms and speaking opportunities.

• Support local thought leadership, events, roundtables and content that strengthen INTERWEAVE's reputation in the region.

• Help turn our existing international credentials, case studies and expertise into locally relevant stories.

• Be an active ambassador for INTERWEAVE and help create a network around the company.
What success looks like
During your first year, we expect you to help us:

• Establish a strong and credible INTERWEAVE presence in Dubai.

• Build a structured network of relevant decision-makers and strategic partners.

• Develop a healthy, measurable pipeline of qualified opportunities.

• Convert new UAE clients and develop recurring relationships.

• Create greater visibility for INTERWEAVE among the organisations and communities that matter.

• Establish the operational foundations required for the Dubai office to grow.

• Generate actionable market intelligence that shapes our regional strategy.

• Build the foundations for future team expansion across the UAE and GCC.
Requirements
We're looking for someone who:
Combines commercial instinct, strategic thinking and entrepreneurial energy.
You should have:

• 8+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, consulting, client leadership, market…