The World Economic Forum, the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, is committed to improving the state of the world by engaging the foremost leaders from business, government, and civil society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.
We are seeking a Head of Business Engagement, Middle East & North Africa (MENA) to lead our engagement with the region’s foremost companies and drive the Forum’s business strategy across this critical geography.
This leadership role is responsible for both new partner development and existing partner retention, managing a high-performing team and ensuring delivery of key performance objectives. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of the region’s industrial and macro-economic landscape, as well as the ability to stay ahead of transformative global trends such as artificial intelligence, the energy transition, and shifting trade dynamics - and to interpret their implications for business in the region.
The Head of Business Engagement will work across the Forum’s internal ecosystem to help deliver a compelling, multistakeholder value proposition and will report to the Head of Global Partner Development and Regional Business Strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Forum’s business strategy for the MENA region, designing and executing a growth plan aligned with Forum priorities.
- Manage a regional business team and resources, ensuring delivery against KPIs, including partner acquisition and renewal.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with CEOs and senior executives from the MENA region, helping them capture value from the Forum’s platforms and communities.
- Drive business development across industries, visiting prospects and converting high-quality leads into Forum partners.
- Ensure retention of existing partners, coordinating with Partner Services and sector-focused teams to maximize engagement outcomes.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Heads of Industry and Heads of Centres to ensure that most relevant and senior colleagues are leveraged and deployed for both partner development and retention.
- Shape a compelling narrative on the region’s future, in collaboration with internal stakeholders including the Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics.
- Oversee strategic planning and portfolio performance monitoring, ensuring business discipline and effective internal coordination.
Qualifications & Skills
- Advanced degree and 10+ years’ experience in business or strategic engagement roles focused on the Middle East and North Africa.
- Demonstrated success in building trust-based relationships with senior executives (CEO and Chair level) and translating strategic business priorities into customized engagement plans.
- Strong track record in business development, with a consultative approach and ability to convert high-potential opportunities.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, with a collaborative, results-driven style.
- Excellent cross-sector and cross-cultural communication and influencing skills; fluency in English required, Arabic a plus.
- Strong strategic, operational and financial acumen, including budget oversight and performance management.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, international environment; willing and able to travel up to 50%.
Why work at the Forum:
The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!
