Associate Director

Recruitment Director / Associate Director – Dubai

Build and lead our Dubai office

We're looking for an ambitious, entrepreneurial recruiter to establish and grow our Dubai office. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a business, shape a new market, and build a high-performing team with the backing of an established international recruitment firm.

We're already well established in specialist professional services recruitment and have a strong reputation across economics, consulting, data, analytics and related sectors. While experience in these markets would be a significant advantage, we're equally interested in exceptional recruiters from other specialist disciplines who have a track record of winning retained or contingent business and are excited by the opportunity to build something.

The opportunity

You'll be responsible for launching and leading our Dubai operation, developing client relationships across the UAE and wider Middle East, delivering senior search assignments, and hiring and mentoring the team as the office grows. This is not simply a billing manager role. We're looking for someone who wants to create a business, develop people, and become a long-term leader within the company.

What you'll be doing

• Establish and grow our Dubai office.

• Win new business with professional services firms and other high-value clients.
• Build long-term relationships with senior decision makers.
• Deliver executive and specialist recruitment assignments.
• Recruit, develop and manage a high-performing recruitment team.
• Help shape our strategy and expansion across the Middle East.
• Work closely with the leadership team on future growth initiatives.

We're looking for someone who has:

• A strong track record in recruitment, ideally 5+ years.
• Experience winning and developing new client relationships.
• The confidence to build a market rather than inherit one.
• Leadership experience or a genuine desire to move into a leadership role.
• A commercial, entrepreneurial mindset.

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• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Experience recruiting into consulting, economics, data, analytics, technology or other specialist professional markets would be highly desirable, but we welcome applications from successful recruiters in any niche who can demonstrate the ability to build a business.

What we offer

• The opportunity to lead and shape our Dubai office from the outset.
• Genuine autonomy with the support of an established international business.
• A clear pathway to senior leadership as the business grows.
• Highly competitive salary and uncapped commission.
• Equity or long-term incentive opportunities for the right individual.
• Relocation support where appropriate.
• The chance to build your own team and leave a lasting mark on the business.

If you're an ambitious recruiter who enjoys winning work, building teams and creating something from the ground up, we'd love to speak with you.