📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Digital Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Circles.Life
🔹 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Software Development
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Launching and accelerating the expansion of a new digital telco brand across key digital, e-commerce, and fintech ecosystems in the MENA region
- Identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic partnerships to drive customer acquisition, engagement, and revenue growth
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure strategic coherence and integrated execution across partnership activities
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key partners, account managers, and industry stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and strong negotiation skills to succeed in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Identify, develop, and execute strategic digital partnerships with leading marketplaces, fintech platforms, consumer tech brands, and SMEs to significantly expand market reach and accelerate revenue growth
✅ Lead negotiation and implementation of annual joint business plans and partnership agreements, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and maximizing returns on marketing investment
✅ Optimize and manage marketing and sales funnels on partner platforms, driving targeted acquisition, engagement, and retention campaigns aligned with commercial goals
✅ Use robust market insights and performance analytics to monitor, test, and refine partnership strategies and digital marketing initiatives continuously
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams, especially the Product team and Circles Digital Advisory & Support Services (“DASS”) teams to ensure strategic coherence and integrated execution across partnership activities
✅ Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key partners, account managers, and industry stakeholders, staying attuned to market trends, innovations, and competitive landscape
✅ Prepare and present detailed performance reports and insights for senior leadership, facilitating data-driven strategic adjustments and business decisions
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to handle multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 12+ years in digital partnerships, e-commerce, business development, or digital marketing within fast-moving consumer-facing digital sectors; telecom experience preferred
Required Skills:
- Proven success in building and scaling strategic digital partnerships with marketplaces, fintech ecosystems, and consumer tech players
- Strong negotiation, project management, and stakeholder management capabilities
- Strong analytical skills, with proficiency in evaluating digital marketing metrics such as CAC, CPC, CPM, LTV/CAC to drive optimization
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic
- Entrepreneurial mindset with agile problem-solving skills, adaptable to fast-paced, dynamic, and high-growth environments
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, data analysis, and visualization tools
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in the MENA region
- Familiarity with the telecommunications industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a proven track record in digital partnerships and a strong understanding of the MENA market will be best suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AED 400,000 - 550,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for similar roles in the MENA region)
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Performance-based bonuses
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the MENA region. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Software Development, specifically focused on telecommunications and digital services
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees (Large company with a global presence)
Founded: 2014 (11 years ago, established but still growing)
Company Description:
- Circles is a global technology company reimagining the telco industry with its innovative SaaS platform
- Partners with leading telco operators across multiple countries and continents to create blueprints for future telco and digital experiences
- Operates three distinct businesses: Circles.Life, Jetpac, and Circles Aspire
Company Specialties:
- Telecommunications
- Digital Telco
- Tech Company
- Start-up
- Digital Services
- SaaS
Company Website: circles.co
ASSUMPTION: Circles is a well-established company with a strong global presence, offering opportunities for growth and development in the telecommunications and digital services industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid to Senior level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Commercial and works closely with cross-functional teams, including the Product team and Circles Digital Advisory & Support Services (“DASS”) teams
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work as needed
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career progression within the company, such as moving into a leadership role or expanding into new markets
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive business growth
- Exposure to a diverse range of stakeholders and industry experts
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of technology, business, and partnerships, with ample opportunities for growth and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art facilities
Office Location(s): Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Geographic Context:
- Dubai is a major global hub for business, tourism, and technology, offering a vibrant and multicultural work environment
- The United Arab Emirates has a strong and growing telecommunications industry, with numerous opportunities for partnerships and growth
- The MENA region is a strategic market for Circles, with significant potential for expansion and revenue growth
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The Dubai office offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with ample opportunities for networking and collaboration with industry professionals.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with the Head of Commercial
Key Assessment Areas:
- Commercial acumen and strategic thinking
- Negotiation skills and experience
- Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
- Communication skills and cultural fit
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past partnerships and their outcomes to demonstrate your capabilities
- Research the company and the telecommunications industry in the MENA region to show your understanding of the market
ATS Keywords: Digital Partnerships, E-commerce, Business Development, Digital Marketing, Negotiation, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Analytics, MENA, Telecommunications, Strategic Partnerships
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and cultural fit within the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data visualization tools is essential for this role, while experience with CRM and project management software is preferred.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Customer-centricity
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong focus on results and performance
- Collaborative and inclusive culture
- Openness to new ideas and continuous learning
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments?
- Are you comfortable working with diverse stakeholders and managing multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously?
- Do you have a proven track record of building and scaling strategic digital partnerships?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have a proven track record in digital partnerships will be best suited for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Navigating a complex and evolving market landscape in the MENA region
- Managing multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously
- Balancing short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals
- Adapting to a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management skills, adaptability, and a strategic mindset to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on digital partnerships within the telecommunications industry in the MENA region
- Compared to other business development or partnership roles, this position requires a deeper understanding of the telecommunications industry and its unique market dynamics
- Career progression in this role may lead to leadership positions or expansion into new markets, offering unique growth opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of technology, business, and partnerships within the telecommunications industry in the MENA region.
📝 Sample Projects
- Negotiating and implementing a strategic partnership with a major e-commerce platform to drive customer acquisition and revenue growth
- Optimizing marketing and sales funnels on partner platforms to improve targeted acquisition, engagement, and retention campaigns
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify new partnership opportunities and refine existing strategies
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and initiatives that the Digital Partnerships Manager may be involved in.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the company's long-term strategic goals for expansion in the MENA region?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in the MENA telecommunications market, and how can this role address them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does it support employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help candidates better understand the role's expectations, the company's strategic goals, and the work environment.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past partnerships and their outcomes to demonstrate your capabilities
- Research the company and the telecommunications industry in the MENA region to show your understanding of the market
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
