Head of International Sales & Business Development📣 إعلان

About Cipher and the Role

Cipher, a leading cybersecurity services provider headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is seeking a Head of International Sales & Business Development. This full-time role, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, requires over 10 years of experience and is central to accelerating the company's global growth. The Head of International Sales & Business Development will lead Cipher's commercial expansion across all international markets, focusing on revenue generation, new market entry, and scaling sales operations in existing and emerging geographies.

Role Overview

The individual in this role will be responsible for building and executing the international sales strategy, generating new business, expanding into untapped geographies, and developing strategic client and partner relationships to drive sustainable revenue. This position requires a results-driven commercial leader who thrives on opening new markets, closing large enterprise and government deals, and building high-performing commercial teams across multiple countries.

Sales Strategy and Market Expansion

• Develop and execute the international sales strategy aligned with Cipher's overall growth objectives across GCC, Levant, Europe, and new target markets.
• Own the international revenue target, sales pipeline, and forecasting across all subsidiaries and new markets.
• Drive top-line growth through direct sales, channel partners, and strategic accounts.
• Establish KPIs, sales quotas, and performance frameworks for country sales teams and business development managers.
• Identify and prioritize high-potential markets and verticals for commercial expansion.
• Design go-to-market plans for new geographies, including pricing strategy, positioning, and sales models (direct, indirect, hybrid).
• Build local sales presence from securing anchor clients to establishing distribution and reseller networks.
• Represent Cipher in market-entry activities, industry events, trade delegations, and government engagements.

Business Development and Client Acquisition

• Identify, qualify, and close strategic partnerships with system integrators, technology vendors, distributors, and channel partners.
• Build and manage a portfolio of high-value alliances that expand Cipher's market reach and solution offering.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements, framework contracts, and long-term service arrangements.
• Develop joint go-to-market plans with technology and channel partners to accelerate pipeline generation.
• Personally lead the acquisition and development of Tier-1 enterprise, government, and semi-government accounts across international markets.
• Build C-level relationships with clients, ministries, regulators, and industry leaders.
• Oversee complex bid management, RFP responses, and large-deal negotiations.
• Ensure long-term client retention, satisfaction, and account growth through strategic account planning.

Team Leadership and Operations

• Recruit, mentor, and lead high-performing sales and business development teams across multiple countries.
• Establish consistent sales processes, CRM discipline, pipeline hygiene, and reporting standards across all regions.
• Foster a performance-driven culture with clear accountability, incentive structures, and career development paths.
• Coach country managers and BD leads on deal strategy, negotiation, and closing techniques.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer demand signals to inform commercial strategy.
• Provide regular sales performance reports, pipeline reviews, and market insights to the CEO and Board.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Pre-Sales, Delivery, and Product teams to ensure aligned go-to-market execution.

Required Competencies

• Hunter mindset with a strong bias for action and closing.
• Executive presence and ability to influence at C-level and government level.
• Exceptional negotiation and deal-structuring skills.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on commercial execution.
• Strong leadership and ability to build, motivate, and retain high-performing sales teams.
• Cross-cultural agility and comfort operating across diverse markets.
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 60%).