Business Development Manager - Business Assurance - O&G, Energy and Industrial Services - Gulf Countries

Company Description

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 100,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

SGS is looking for an accomplished and commercially driven Business Development Manager with strong experience in Business Assurance, particularly within the Oil & Gas, Energy and Industrial sectors, to drive business growth across the GCC region. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing strategic customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities and securing recurring assurance programs with national and international energy operators, EPC contractors, utilities, industrial manufacturers and their respective supplier and contractor networks.

Job Description

• Identify and develop business opportunities across national and international oil companies, upstream and downstream operators, petrochemical companies, power generation, utilities, renewable energy, EPC contractors, OEMs and major industrial suppliers.
• Develop and promote Business Assurance service offerings across QHSE, ISO 50001, ISO 55001, ISO 22301, supplier and contractor assurance, second-party audits, sustainability and relevant digital/OT governance assurance services.
• Develop strategic account plans targeting multi-site operator frameworks, EPC supplier assurance programmes, contractor qualification initiatives and industrial supply-chain risk management.
• Establish and strengthen senior-level relationships with key stakeholders.
• Identify and develop One SGS business opportunities, facilitating cross-selling and referring relevant inspection, testing, asset integrity and vendor surveillance opportunities to the appropriate SGS divisions in accordance with agreed commercial arrangements.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of technical tender specifications, client prequalification requirements, extended sales cycles, operational delivery capabilities and industrial project economics.
• Take ownership of the complete business development and sales cycle, including prospecting, client discovery, opportunity qualification, proposal development, negotiations, contract closure and structured handover to Operations across GCC.
• Develop and execute annual GCC territory and strategic account plan, supported by a quantified Growth Bridge covering new client acquisition, competitor conversions, cross-selling, new service opportunities and major account expansion.
• Maintain effective SFDC opportunity management, ensuring consistent monthly qualified funnel generation, Stage 4–5 opportunity health, pipeline coverage, sales velocity, opportunity ageing, win rate, order intake and forecast accuracy.
• Apply consultative and value-based selling approaches through structured account research, buying-committee mapping, opportunity qualification and disciplined follow-up on commercial opportunities.
• Lead major tenders, framework agreements and multi-site opportunities in collaboration with local Business Managers and Global Segment teams, ensuring clear alignment on opportunity ownership, delivery responsibilities and customer relationships.
• Maintain pricing and discount discipline, evaluate anticipated LC, obtain the necessary commercial approvals and ensure all contracts are commercially viable and technically deliverable.
• Coordinate with technical specialists, auditor resources and relevant scheme/accreditation teams to validate service scope, resource availability, accreditation requirements and delivery timelines before making customer commitments.
• Proactively identify service delivery risks, facilitate accurate operational handovers, escalate customer complaints and ensure timely and appropriate customer follow-up.

Qualifications

Essential Candidate Requirements

• 12+ years of proven experience in technical B2B sales, with substantial exposure to Oil & Gas, Energy, Industrial Services or EPC sectors within GCC and a demonstrated track record of personally securing major commercial contracts.
• Degree in Engineering or other relevant technical discipline.
• Knowledge of OT/ICS risk management, energy management, industrial sustainability or large-scale industrial project procurement.
• Professional background in TIC, industrial assurance, engineering or technical consultancy.
• Ability to understand and interpret industrial customer requirements and translate them into relevant, compliant Business Assurance service offerings, while ensuring alignment with SGS's technical capabilities and accreditation scope.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, tender management and evaluation skills, executive-level negotiation capabilities, disciplined CRM management.
• Excellent professional English communication skills. Proficiency in Arabic would be an advantage.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the GCC region. (Position base is flexible within GCC)Core Competencies

• Strong new-business development capabilities, strategic account planning, executive presence and consultative, value-based selling.
• Excellent stakeholder management, problem-solving, resilience, negotiation and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Sound commercial judgement, disciplined follow-through and the ability to identify and develop emerging assurance business opportunities.
• High standards of professional integrity, accountability and ethical business conduct.