Head of Sales & Partnerships

About the Role

Hire Fellows is seeking a Head of Sales & Partnerships to lead the expansion of its operations across Saudi Arabia. This full-time role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and involves building and leading a sales team focused on new brand acquisition. The Head of Sales & Partnerships will be responsible for transitioning the business from a Riyadh-focused operation to a national presence, with direct involvement in closing key deals with top brands. This is a senior, hands-on position within a fast-scaling startup, offering significant ownership and a direct reporting line to the General Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new brand acquisition efforts across Saudi Arabia, with autonomy in strategy and execution.
• Build, lead, and scale the partnerships sales team, including hiring, coaching, and developing team members.
• Define and execute the partnerships and expansion strategy for Saudi Arabia, overseeing market entry across the Kingdom, including Jeddah and Dammam.
• Manage sales pipeline and forecasting with strong CRM discipline, a weekly KPI rhythm, and accurate forecasts by city, representative, and brand tier.
• Initiate contact, lead negotiations, and close strategic deals with high-value brands, collaborating with the General Manager on major accounts.
• Develop and maintain relationships with brand partners across current and future markets.
• Establish scalable sales systems, including scripts, pitch materials, objection handling, and onboarding processes for new sales representatives.
• Collaborate with product, marketing, commercial, and operations teams to ensure efficient brand onboarding and successful city launches.
• Adapt to evolving business needs and take on new responsibilities as the company grows.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in partnerships, sales, or a related commercial role, with a demonstrated history of closing deals.
• Experience in building and leading a sales team, preferably within a startup or scale-up environment in KSA or the GCC.
• Proven ability to manage, coach, and develop team members.
• Experience in launching new cities or markets and securing initial accounts rapidly.
• Track record of signing a high volume of brands with short sales cycles.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in developing scalable sales systems and processes.
• In-depth knowledge of the Saudi market; existing relationships with brand owners and marketing leaders in retail, F&B, and lifestyle sectors are advantageous.
• Comfortable with a compensation structure where upside is linked to performance and growth.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to evolving priorities and responsibilities.
• Based in Riyadh or willing to relocate within Saudi Arabia.
• Possession of a valid driving license and personal vehicle.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English.

Work Environment

This role operates within a fast-scaling startup environment, requiring a hands-on approach and direct engagement with strategic initiatives. The position offers a direct reporting line to the General Manager and provides scope for growth as the company expands its presence across Saudi Arabia.

Application Process

Candidates meeting the specified requirements are encouraged to apply. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.