Business Development Manager - SMB

We are seeking a bold and motivated Business Development Manager to join our SMB/Emerging Clients team, based in Dubai, UAE. In this role, you will take full ownership of driving growth in the SMB and Emerging Brands segment, managing a portfolio of high-potential clients while proactively identifying whitespace opportunities to unlock new business.

You will be responsible for representing all NielsenIQ solutions, delivering a seamless client experience, and acting as a growth partner for United Arab Emirates’s next-generation brands.

Responsibilites:

· Identify, qualify, and engage prospective clients through proactive outreach, networking, referrals, and market intelligence.

· Develop targeted prospecting strategies to penetrate new industry verticals, geographies, and customer segments.

· Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified opportunities through outbound business development activities.

· Generate new business leads through cold calling, email campaigns, social selling, and executive networking.

· Identify and pursue whitespace opportunities, including new client acquisition, dormant client reactivation, and untapped budget holders.

· Manage and grow a portfolio of SMB clients, supporting them across all NielsenIQ brands and solutions.

· Drive cross-sell and upsell opportunities by identifying client business challenges and aligning NielsenIQ solutions to address them.

· Collaborate with cross-functional internal teams to ensure solution alignment, data quality, and timely service delivery.

· Own the end-to-end sales cycle from lead generation and proposal development to negotiation and deal closure.

· Represent NIQ at trade fairs, client events, and industry forums, building strong networks and elevating brand visibility in the SMB ecosystem.

· Maintain a robust pipeline supporting the sales forecast while consistently exceeding revenue and growth targets.

· Maintain accurate opportunity management, pipeline hygiene, and sales reporting within CRM systems.

· Stay attuned to emerging market trends, client business dynamics, and the competitive landscape to tailor relevant commercial strategies.

Qualifications:

· 5-7 years of sales experience in a research, analytics, or services business, preferably within a business development or account management role.

· Strong experience in managing SMB or Emerging clients and understanding their unique needs and buying behaviours.

· Proven hunter mindset with a passion for unlocking new accounts and nurturing long-term client relationships.

· Exceptional communication, storytelling, and negotiation skills—fluent in English while fluence in Arabic will be considered a strong plus.

· Strong presence and comfort with client-facing roles across events, meetings, and networking environments.

· High emotional intelligence with strong internal and external stakeholder management skills.

· Analytical thinker with the ability to interpret data and convert insights into commercial impact.

· Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and resilience.

· Familiarity with NielsenIQ solutions, particularly Retail Measurement Services (RMS), is a distinct advantage.

What We Offer

· An opportunity to lead growth in one of the most dynamic client segments in the region.

· High visibility and impact across a global organization with access to best-in-class data assets.

· Collaborative team culture, strong leadership support, and a clear path for professional advancement.

· Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and training programs.

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full Viewtrade mark. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion