Position Title: Director of Business Development
Department: Commercial / Growth
Position Reports To: CEO
Job Description:
We are looking for a Business Development Director to drive strategic growth for travel tech platform. This role will focus on building and scaling partnerships across the global travel ecosystem, including OTAs, airlines, hotels, tour operators, destination services, and mobility providers.
The successful candidate will combine deep travel industry knowledge with strong commercial execution, capable of structuring complex partnership agreements while operating in a fast-moving startup environment
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Strategy & Expansion
Define and execute business development strategy aligned with the company’s growth and revenue targetsIdentify new markets, travel verticals, and product distribution opportunitiesSupport market entry and geographic expansion initiativesStrategic Partnerships
Build and manage partnerships with OTAs, travel platforms, airlines, hotels, DMCs, and mobility providersLead commercial negotiations including pricing, commissions, SLAs, and revenue-share modelsStructure long-term strategic agreements and integrationsRevenue Ownership
Own partnership-driven revenue targets and pipelineMonitor partner performance, margin contribution, and conversion metricsDevelop upsell, cross-sell, and exclusivity opportunitiesProduct & Tech Collaboration
Work closely with Product and Engineering teams on API integrations, connectivity, and partner onboardingProvide market insights to influence roadmap, pricing, and feature prioritizationEnsure partner requirements align with scalable technology solutionsLeadership & Representation
Represent the company at global travel trade events and industry forumsBuild senior relationships with key decision-makers across the travel ecosystemSupport investor discussions with commercial insights and market dataRequired Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in business, Management, Marketing, or a related field (required); MBA is a plus.
· 8–12+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or enterprise sales within travel tech or travel services
· Strong understanding of travel distribution models (B2B, B2C, B2B2C)
· Proven experience negotiating OTA, airline, hotel, or mobility partnerships
· Demonstrated success closing complex, multi-market commercial deals
· Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with SaaS, marketplace, or API-driven travel platformsGlobal expansion experience across Europe, Middle East, or AsiaPrior experience working with OTAs or large travel platformsBackground in mobility, transfers, ground transportation, or destination servicesMBA or equivalent commercial qualification (preferred)What We Offer
Competitive base salary + performance-based incentivesHigh-visibility leadership role with direct access to foundersOpportunity to shape partnerships at scale in a growing travel tech companyEntrepreneurial, fast-paced, and flexible working environmentWhy Join Us
You will be at the forefront of building a global travel technology platform, shaping strategic partnerships that directly impact growth, revenue, and customer experience. This role offers meaningful ownership, autonomy, and long-term upside.
Job Type: Full-time
Application Question(s):
Have you previously worked with or negotiated partnerships with OTAs (Online Travel Agencies)?Are you familiar with API integrations and technical partnership requirements in travel platforms?What is your notice period or availability to start? (Please indicate number of days) Examples: - 0 days = Immediate - 30 days = 1 month notice - 60 days = 2 months noticeWhat is your expected Monthly base salary (excluding bonuses/commissions)? (AED)Education:
Bachelor's (Required)Experience:
Business development/related in traveltourism industry: 8 years (Required)Closing deals with airlines, hotels, or mobility providers: 1 year (Required)
