360° Consultant – Business Development & Desk Building

James Douglas Middle East (JDME) is a Dubai-based professional search and leadership advisory firm, part of the EMA Partners global network spanning 40+ countries. Headquartered in DIFC, JDME delivers mid-to-senior level talent solutions across sectors including Banking, Technology, Digital, Consumer, Industrial, and Retail. As part of our continued growth, we are expanding our team in Dubai and are looking to add experienced, agency-side 360 recruiters to build out specialist desks aligned to your sector expertise. This is a business development-led role - you'll be winning your own clients and building your own book of business, not just managing requisitions inside one company -combined with full-cycle recruitment delivery. You'll work closely with our leadership team to establish your desk's presence and client base in the UAE market. Duties & Responsibilities • Develop new client relationships across your specialist sector in the UAE • Manage the full 360 recruitment lifecycle, from client acquisition through to placement • Build long-term client partnerships and establish credibility for your desk in the market • Develop a specialist desk aligned to your existing experience and network • Support future hiring and team growth as your desk scales within JDME • Manage your own pipeline, forecasting, and commercial performance • Work closely with JDME's leadership team to shape desk strategy Qualifications • Agency-side 360 recruitment experience - this is a business development-led role, not an in-house/TA position • A proven track record of winning new clients and building your own book of business • A consistent billing track record at mid to senior level • Experience building or growing a desk, vertical, or client base • UAE market exposure or existing relationships Technical Skills • Full-cycle 360 recruitment delivery, from business development through to offer management • New business development and market mapping in a competitive, relationship-led market • Pipeline management, commercial forecasting, and self-directed performance tracking • Ability to work independently and self-manage priorities in a new, unestablished market Key Success Metrics • Establishing initial client relationships and a sustainable pipeline within the first 6–12 months • Consistent hands-on billing performance in line with desk-building expectations • Laying the operational groundwork (processes, client base) to support future desk hires • Building credibility and a recognisable presence for your desk within the UAE market Show more Show less

Agency-side 360 recruitment experience; proven track record of winning new clients and building your own book of business; UAE market exposure or existing relationships.

Develop new client relationships across your specialist sector in the UAE; Manage the full 360 recruitment lifecycle, from client acquisition through to placement; Build long-term client partnerships and establish credibility for your desk in the market; Develop a specialist desk aligned to your existing experience and network; Support future hiring and team growth as your desk scales within JDME; Manage your own pipeline, forecasting, and commercial performance; Work closely with JDME's leadership team to shape desk strategy.