Business Development Manager
About This Role
Dubai Heights Academy is a warm and welcoming place to work. Located in the Al Barsha South area of Dubai, this is an exciting opportunity to join our team.
The school opened in 2017. It offers an inclusive, exciting and outstanding education to an international community of students from FS1 to Year 12 (2025-2026) and will continue to grow organically to Year 13.
The campus is state-of-the-art with separate buildings for each phase as well as a 380 seat auditorium. There are three temperature controlled swimming pools, fully equipped science and computer labs, specialist rooms for art, DT, music, and drama, a library, two multipurpose sports halls, a full size football pitch, a variety of outdoor play areas and a spacious canteen. Our sprawling 292,000 sqft campus boasts 3 buildings dedicated for each phase, and we are thrilled to announce the recent opening of our brand new secondary building in August 2025, marking our most ambitious project yet.
Dubai Heights Academy provides a curriculum that meets the needs of all of our students and follows the National Curriculum for England as the basis of its curriculum. This has been tailored to comply with local requirements and supplemented with Arabic language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education and Social Studies. In addition, Dubai Heights Academy has partnered with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to develop and deliver a bespoke AI (artificial intelligence) project-based programme for secondary and an early language programme using social robots for Primary, to further enrich our broad and balanced curriculum.
We are driven by an underlying philosophy captured by our school ethos of ‘Every Child, Every Mind and Everybody matters’ and believe that every student deserves the best possible education, regardless of background and ability.
Job Overview
Dubai Heights Academy has an opening for an enthusiastic and passionate Business Development Manager who will contribute significantly to our school's success.
We expect all applicants to be well qualified, self-motivated, adaptable, imaginative, and keen to join a team that is committed to academic and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Commercial Oversight
Provide strategic oversight of finance, facilities, transport, and operational service areas to ensure alignment with organisational goals.
Act as the senior co-ordinator and reviewer for operational proposals, contracts, and commercial arrangements.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, value for money and service quality across all operational functions.
Lead the design and implementation of short, mid and long term strategic business plans.
Financial Oversight & Governance
Oversee the Finance department to ensure robust budgeting, forecasting, financial controls, and reporting.
Review financial performance, cost centres, and operational expenditure, identifying risks and efficiencies.
Support senior leadership with financial analysis, scenario planning, and medium-to long-term financial strategy.
Ensure compliance with internal policies, audit requirements and regulatory standards.
Facilities, Contracts & Vendor Management
Oversee the Facilities Manager in the effective management of all buildings, assets, maintenance and capital projects.
Lead the review, tendering, and negotiation of all major contracts and service-level agreements (e.g. facilities, cleaning, security, catering, IT, transport).
Manage relationships with service providers, ensuring performance, compliance and cost effectiveness.
Drive contract optimisation, renegotiations and procurement best practice.
Transport (Buses) Oversight
Provide oversight of school transport services, including contracts, routes, costs, compliance and service delivery.
Review transport contracts and negotiate terms to ensure safety, efficiency and financial sustainability.
Monitor transport-related revenue, costs, and parent satisfaction.
Revenue Streams & Business Development
Develop all non-tuition revenue streams, including ECAs, transport, facilities hire, and other ancillary services.
Review pricing models, profitability, and uptake of ECAs and other revenue-generating activities.
Identify and implement new revenue opportunities aligned with the school’s values and community needs.
Work closely with academic and operations teams to ensure revenue activities enhance, rather than detract from, the core educational offering.
People & Performance Management
Line manage and performance-manage the Finance Manager and Facilities Manager, (not limited to) providing clear direction, accountability, and development.
Ensure operational teams work collaboratively and effectively to deliver high standards of service.
Build a culture of ownership, efficiency, and continuous improvement across operations.
Risk, Compliance & Reporting
Identify and mitigate financial, operational, and contractual risks.
Ensure appropriate insurance, compliance, and health & safety standards are maintained.
Prepare clear reports and recommendations for senior leadership and governing bodies.
Person Specification:
Essential Skills & Experience
Proven experience in a senior operations, business development, or commercial management role.
Strong background in financial oversight, contract management, and vendor negotiations.
Experience overseeing facilities, transport, or asset-intensive operations.
Demonstrated ability to manage senior operational staff and drive accountability.
Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.Experience within education or similarly complex, service-driven organisations.
Knowledge of ECA programmes, transport operations, or ancillary revenue models.
Professional qualification or strong experience in finance, business, or operations management.
Ability to interact well with people of all levels/cultures or backgrounds.
Knowledge and understanding of effective customer care and management.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbally.
Excellent IT and database skills.
Commercial and financial acumen
Strategic and operational leadership
Contract negotiation and cost optimisation
Risk management and compliance awareness
Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
Key Competencies
Commercial and financial acumen
Strategic and operational leadership
Contract negotiation and cost optimisation
Risk management and compliance awareness
Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
Performance Indicators
Effective financial control and budget performance
Successful contract renegotiations and cost efficiencies achieved
Quality and reliability of facilities and transport services
Growth and profitability of non-tuition revenue streams
Strong leadership and performance of finance and facilities teams
To carry out any other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Principal
These above-mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive, the post-holder may be required to carry out other duties as required by the school management.
In return we can offer you
A positive and innovative learning culture supported by students, staff, parents and governors
A collaborative and supportive attitude amongst staff which promotes a sense of teamwork and unityA Senior Leadership team who is committed to promoting the best environment and outcomes for staff and students
Our Compensation and Benefits package includes (where applicable)
Competitive tax-free salary
Visa and medical insurance coverage
Tuition fee discounts for upto 2 children at Dubai Heights Academy
End of service gratuity in line with UAE Labour Law
Interviews will take place at Dubai Heights Academy or via Zoom, should a face to face interview not be possible. Closing date for applications is as advertised, however interviews may take place ahead of this date so an early application is advantageous.
Whilst we thank all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Safeguarding Statement
Dubai Heights Academy is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as such expects all its employees to share this commitment. All new staff will be subject to enhanced pre-employment clearance including identity checks, criminal background checks (from your home country/country of residence), qualification checks (attestation) and employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment and at least two satisfactory professional references, which will be verified. Applicants may also be required to provide other applicable personal documents e.g. degree, marriage certificate etc. A full checklist will be provided to successful candidates.