Business Development Manager

Illenia is a modern media and content company focused on podcasts, branded storytelling, digital content, creative production, and partnerships. We work across podcast production, branded campaigns, social media, digital marketing, events, and content IPs.

We are looking for a proactive and organized Business Development Manager (WITH DIGITAL AGENCY EXPERIENCE) to help build the sales pipeline for Illenia across social media services, sponsored content, studio production, digital retainers, events, and collaborations.

The ideal candidate should be confident, persistent, detail-oriented, and comfortable reaching out to brands, founders, agencies, sponsors, and local businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain lead databases of brands, founders, sponsors, and businesses
• Identify prospects across F&B, hospitality, wellness, lifestyle, luxury, startups, SMEs, and real estate
• Conduct outreach via email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and calls
• Schedule meetings for founders and leadership teams
• Support proposal creation and client follow-ups
• Track all leads and conversations in CRM systems
• Maintain daily and weekly pipeline reports
• Follow up with guests, clients, sponsors, and brand partners
• Support podcast guest outreach and collaboration opportunities
• Assist with sponsor and partnership conversations
• Coordinate with creative teams for proposal inputs and deliverables
• Research market opportunities and competitor activity
• Convert inbound interest into meetings and proposals

Requirements

• 1–4 years of experience in business development, partnerships, agency sales, sponsorship sales, media sales, or client acquisition
• Strong communication and follow-up discipline
• Good understanding of branding, marketing, and content services
• Ability to build lead lists and manage CRM systems
• Confident speaking with founders, business owners, and marketing teams
• Persistent and proactive approach without being overly aggressive
• Basic proposal writing and professional email communication skills
• Strong research and prospecting abilities
• Target-driven and performance-oriented mindset

Preferred Tools & Platforms

• HubSpot
• Zoho CRM
• Google Sheets
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator (preferred)
• Google Workspace
• WhatsApp Business
• Microsoft PowerPoint / Google Slides
• OpenAI / AI tools for outreach support

Portfolio / Work Sample Requirements

Applicants should include:

• Past business development or sales experience
• Industries or sectors handled
• Revenue or target achievements (if applicable)
• Sample outreach email or sales communication (preferred)

Suggested Trial Task

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a short assignment including:

• A lead list of 30 Dubai-based brands suitable for ILLENIA
• 1 sample outreach email
• 1 sample WhatsApp pitch
• A 7-day follow-up plan

Assessment will focus on:

• Research quality
• Communication style
• Sales thinking and outreach structure
• Understanding of partnerships and brand fit
• Organization and follow-up discipline

Work Location: In person