About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced Global Markets & Expansion Expert to develop strategies, frameworks, partnerships, and market-access pathways that enable SMEs to expand internationally.

The role will focus on SME internationalisation readiness, global market identification, market-entry strategies, international partnerships, and development of scalable frameworks to support SMEs in entering and growing across global markets.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Internationalisation Readiness:

- Develop frameworks and models to assess SME readiness for international expansion.

- Define requirements covering product, pricing, branding, certifications, logistics, and regulatory compliance.

- Develop tools, guidelines, and playbooks to support SMEs through the internationalisation journey.

- Establish pathways to move SMEs from readiness assessment to actual market-access opportunities.

2. Global Market Access:

- Develop strategies to support Dubai SMEs in entering and expanding across international markets.

- Identify and prioritise target markets and sectors based on market opportunity, SME potential, and Dubai's economic priorities.

- Develop criteria for participation in international exhibitions, trade missions, and global business opportunities.

- Build pathways to connect SMEs with international buyers, distributors, partners, and business networks.

- Develop post-market-entry support approaches to help SMEs sustain and scale internationally.

3. International Partnerships:

- Identify and develop relationships with trade agencies, chambers, business networks, and international ecosystem organisations.

- Leverage international networks to identify new markets and business channels for SMEs.

- Develop plans for activating strategic international opportunities through the right partners.

- Build collaboration frameworks with relevant government and ecosystem stakeholders.

4. Framework & Function Establishment:

- Develop the strategy, priorities, frameworks, and operating approach for the Global Markets & Expansion function.

- Establish processes, methodologies, playbooks, tools, and guidelines to standardise delivery.

- Review the SME internationalisation journey, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.

- Benchmark international SME-support models and identify practices applicable to Dubai.

- Develop actionable plans to strengthen Dubai SME's internationalisation and market-access capabilities.

Qualification & Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in International Business, Business Administration, Economics, International Relations, Trade, Strategy, or a related discipline.

- 12+ years of relevant experience in international business, export development, global market expansion, international trade, or SME internationalisation.

- Proven experience developing international expansion strategies, frameworks, and market-entry plans.

- Strong experience in international market assessment, market prioritisation, and market-entry strategy.

- Experience assessing and preparing SME products/businesses for export readiness and international markets.

- Experience working with government entities, chambers of commerce, trade agencies, international partners, or ecosystem stakeholders.

- Strong understanding of the UAE business, SME, entrepreneurship, and economic ecosystem.

- Strong strategic thinking, stakeholder management, partnership development, and communication skills.

Preferred Expertise:

- International Trade - SME Internationalisation - Global Market Access - Export Development - Market Entry Strategy - International Partnerships - Market Intelligence - Trade Missions - Export Readiness - Government & Economic Development - UAE SME Ecosystem