About the Role
Guildhall is running a confidential search for an established defence and aerospace company expanding its presence in the Gulf. The company is growing quickly and building its reputation within its industry. It is a rare seat: building market access from zero, for a company moving fast.
The role
- Open first conversations with government-linked entities and industrial partners in the Gulf.
- Build toward long-term local partnership structures rather than direct sales.
- Operate as an early entry point for a company building its presence in the region.
- Work closely with a separate business development lead who owns the commercial sell.
- Travel frequently across the Gulf to build and maintain senior relationships.
What you'll bring
- Experience opening partnership or market-access conversations in the Gulf region.
- Comfort engaging senior government-linked stakeholders without a large local entity behind you.
- A background in defence, aerospace or adjacent high-technology sectors.
- Genuine interest in advanced defence and aerospace technologies.
- Fluent English; Arabic is a strong advantage.
What's on offer
- Ground-floor role building a Gulf presence for a fast-scaling defence technology group.
- Direct exposure to government and industrial stakeholders across the region.
- Scope to shape how the company enters and grows in the Gulf market.
Why apply through Guildhall
- Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010.
- 8x independent industry awards since 2020.
- 4.9-star Google rating from over 250 reviews.
- Direct access to the retained consultant running this search, with a confidential process.
Hiring a Regional Partnership Manager in Dubai
Defence and aerospace companies expanding into the Gulf increasingly hire a dedicated partnerships lead ahead of any formal local entity, tasked with opening relationships with government-linked bodies, system integrators and industrial partners. This role typically sits apart from sales: it builds the relationships and structures that later commercial activity depends on, often working toward localisation or joint-venture arrangements. Demand for this profile has grown as more defence and aerospace companies look to the Gulf for co-production and industrial partnerships. Candidates who have personally opened these conversations, rather than only managed existing accounts, are in short supply.
Common questions
What does a Regional Partnership Manager do in Dubai?
A Regional Partnership Manager builds relationships with government-linked entities, system integrators and industrial partners, working toward joint-venture, localisation or co-production structures. In defence and aerospace, this is distinct from a sales role: it focuses on opening doors and building the framework for later commercial activity.
What experience do I need to apply?
You should have experience opening partnership or market-access conversations in the Gulf region, ideally within defence, aerospace or adjacent high-technology sectors. an interest in advanced defence and aerospace systems
How do I apply?
Apply directly on this page. A Guildhall consultant reviews every application personally and will contact suitable candidates on a confidential basis.
Salary Guide — Similar Jobs
This is not the salary for this job. It is a general guide showing what people in similar jobs usually earn, based on 1,846 real salaries shared with Guildhall. The salary for this job may be different.
Similar Roles at Guildhall
For Employers
Hiring for a role like this?
Guildhall places pre-vetted candidates for positions like this one across the UAE and GCC — most shortlists are delivered within days.
The Agency Behind This Role
This search is managed by Guildhall — an 8× award-winning executive search and recruitment agency, rated 4.9★ across 250+ Google reviews, recruiting in Dubai and across the GCC.