Business development project manager (Event and Exhibition)

Our client is a growing luxury interior design and construction company based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing distinctive spaces to life for corporate and private clients. From initial concept and design to project management, construction, and final delivery, the company manages the complete project journey, translating each client’s vision into thoughtfully designed, expertly executed interiors.

Job Summary

As an Events & Exhibitions Project Manager in Riyadh, this role serves as the strategic and operational cornerstone responsible for launching, establishing, and scaling our Events & Exhibitions department. Reporting directly to executive leadership, you will drive business growth by navigating tender platforms, expanding high-value client networks across Saudi Arabia, and overseeing projects from initial pricing and BOQ preparation to on-site execution and financial closure. By managing cross-functional teams, supplier networks, and key client relationships, your leadership directly impacts company revenue and solidifies our footprint within the Kingdom's rapidly growing events sector.

• Business Growth & Tenders: Monitor tender platforms (Etimad/Manafesat), prepare winning technical/financial proposals, and expand our Saudi client network.
• Pricing & Cost Control: Prepare detailed BOQs, manage budgets, negotiate with suppliers, and safeguard profit margins.
• End-to-End Execution: Oversee project schedules, site setup, permits, subcontractors, installation, and final handover.
• Department Builder: Recruit and mentor team members, establish workflows, and hit annual revenue targets.

Skills & Competencies

• Sales and business development experience: A background in identifying prospects, building client relationships, and converting leads into business. B2B experience is preferred, particularly selling products or services to companies and navigating purchasing decisions involving multiple stakeholders.
• Communication and opportunity generation: The ability to approach potential clients confidently, understand their needs, present relevant solutions, and negotiate effectively. This includes creating new business opportunities through outreach, networking, referrals, and consistent follow-up.
• Knowledge of the Saudi market: Familiarity with Saudi Arabia’s construction, events, and luxury projects sectors, including key players, client expectations, and procurement practices. An understanding of how to identify upcoming projects and connect with relevant decisionmakers would be valuable.

Educational & Professional Requirements

• Events and exhibitions project management experience: A minimum of 5 years of direct experience managing events and exhibitions projects within Saudi Arabia is mandatory. This includes coordinating project planning, budgets, suppliers, execution, and delivery while managing client expectations and deadlines.
• Established network in Saudi Arabia: Strong existing relationships with government entities and large corporate clients in KSA, with the ability to engage key stakeholders, identify project opportunities, and build long-term partnerships.
• Commercial and technical expertise: Proven experience pricing Bills of Quantities (BOQs), preparing and managing bids, and interpreting technical drawings. You should be able to translate project requirements into accurate cost estimates and well-structured proposals that reflect the required scope.
• Arabic and English fluency: The ability to communicate confidently in both languages, verbally and in writing, including delivering presentations, discussing project requirements, negotiating with stakeholders, and preparing professional correspondence.
• Relevant academic qualification: A bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Design, or an equivalent discipline, providing a foundation for managing the technical, commercial, or creative aspects of project delivery.
• Preferred certification and procurement experience: CEM, CMP, CSEP, PEMC / CAME or Event Management Diploma

• Competitive basic salary + attractive percentage of project profits.
• Housing and transportation allowances.
• Medical insurance for employee & family + annual flight tickets.
• Full operational authority to build your team and shape department strategy.