Head of Business Development, UAE

About NodeShift AI

NodeShift is the GCC's leading sovereign generative AI platform built for highly regulated sectors, including government, finance, and critical infrastructure. 
NodeShift ships a private ChatGPT-like private platform that offers 140+ enterprise-grade Arabic & English AI models that connect to 80+ enterprise software, and include real-time security guardrails to ensure data never leaves the customer environment.

NodeShift was founded by Oxford University graduates with experience at Microsoft, X, and Cisco from Silicon Valley, and is backed by institutional investors including the Abu Dhabi government, Qatar Development Bank, Oxford University, and senior leaders from Palantir.

Today, NodeShift is trusted by flagship institutions across the UAE and Qatar, including Central Banks, Ministries of Economy, and major government-owned corporations adopting our technology as their secure AI stack of record. We are expanding rapidly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and are opening a long-term commercial and engineering presence in Riyadh.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Head of Business Development (UAE) with deep relationships across
banks, government entities, and defense. This leader will drive the national adoption of NodeShift AI across the UAE and own all aspects of market growth from pipeline creation to deal execution.

This role is critical to our UAE operations and will represent NodeShift as a senior commercial leader in the country.

Key Responsibilities

Market Expansion & Revenue

• Source from scratch deals across banks, sovereign institutions, ministries, and major enterprises.
• Own a multi million dollar annual revenue target and build a predictable, scalable pipeline.
• Lead 360° deal cycles including sourcing, discovery, scoping, procurement navigation, RFP/RFQ management, and commercial negotiation.
• Develop repeatable playbooks for AI transformation across banking, compliance, cybersecurity, operations, legal, and government workflows.
  

Strategic Partnerships

• Expand NodeShift’s ecosystem across UAE technology partners, system integrators, consulting firms, and national digital initiatives.
• Build strategic influence with CxOs, CISOs, CIOs, innovation teams, and digital transformation offices.
  

Thought Leadership & Advocacy

• Position NodeShift AI as UAE’s premier sovereign AI platform through workshops, executive briefings, and industry events.
• Advise customers on AI governance, data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and enterprise AI architecture.
  

Requirements

Experience

• Existing connections with senior executives at banks, governments and defence organizations.
• 7–12+ years in enterprise B2B sales, business development, or strategic partnerships.
• Proven track record selling into banks, government entities, or defence.
• Existing high-trust relationships with senior decision-makers (C-suite, directors, digital transformation, procurement, and innovation teams).
• Experience selling complex platforms such as AI, cloud, cybersecurity, digital transformation, or enterprise software.
  

Skills

• Deep understanding of UAE regulatory landscapes (PDPL) and enterprise procurement cycles.
• Ability to articulate value around sovereign AI, data privacy, security, and on-premises AI deployments.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation capability, and executive communication skills.
• Self-starter, entrepreneurial mindset, and comfortable building a market from the ground up.
  

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI/ML, cloud infrastructure, or cybersecurity solutions.
• Background working with government programs or national digital transformation initiatives.
• Arabic language skills (not mandatory but highly preferred).
  

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead and scale the UAE market for one of the GCC’s fastest-growing sovereign AI companies.
• Direct exposure to national-scale programs across government, central banking, and strategic industries.
• Competitive performance incentives.
• Ability to influence product direction and shape regional AI adoption.
• Work remotely or from our Al Maryah office representing NodeShift at the highest levels of UAE enterprise and government.