Head of Strategic Partnerships (2 year fixed term contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Strategic Partnerships (2 year fixed term contract)

🔹 Company: Informa Group Plc.

🔹 Location: Riyadh, Ar Riyāḑ, Saudi Arabia

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Academic Publishing

🔹 Date Posted: May 22, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with remote work options

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving strategic growth initiatives across academic and government sectors in Saudi Arabia
• Fostering high-level partnerships with key stakeholders, including senior ministers and government officials
• Identifying and implementing new routes to market for Taylor & Francis content
• Collaborating with the Head of MENA Markets on higher education sector opportunities
• Expanding Taylor & Francis' portfolio in line with regional needs through editorial opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking and execution capabilities, with a strong focus on business development and stakeholder management.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute strategic growth initiatives across academic and government sectors in Saudi Arabia

✅ Foster high-level partnerships with key stakeholders, including senior ministers and government officials

✅ Identify and implement new routes to market for Taylor & Francis content

✅ Collaborate with the Head of MENA Markets on higher education sector opportunities

✅ Drive editorial opportunities to expand our portfolio in line with regional needs

✅ Create and execute short and mid-term growth strategies based on market insights

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills to succeed.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)

Experience: Proven track record in business development and strategic partnerships, with a deep understanding of Saudi Arabia's academic and government sectors

Required Skills:

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience working at senior levels
• Strong Arabic language skills (fluent in English is also required)
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic growth initiatives
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English and Arabic
• Strong network within the region's education and government sectors

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the academic publishing industry
• Knowledge of the Saudi Arabian market and cultural landscape

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in strategic partnerships, business development, and stakeholder management in the academic or publishing sectors will be highly competitive for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: SAR 350,000 - 450,000 per annum (estimated, based on industry standards for the role and experience level)

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance for individual and family
• Annual leave – 28 days
• Remote working on Sundays
• Working anywhere – 2 months every year
• School fees contribution, SAR 40,000 per child per year (up to a max of three children)
• Family visa costs (up to a max of three children)
• Individual annual flight allowance for expats
• International or local relocation package (depending on eligibility)

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Academic Publishing

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1998 (as Informa, Taylor & Francis was founded in 1852)

Company Description:

• Informa champions specialists working in academic and business-to-business markets, connecting people with knowledge to help them learn more, know more, and do more.
• Informa is a leading international events, digital services, and academic knowledge business, headquartered in the UK and a member of the UK’s FTSE 100 group of public companies.
• Informa serves specialist markets across academic and professional fields, with a portfolio of over 7,000 events and 38,000 products.

Company Specialties:

• Academic Publishing
• Marketing Services
• Data & Intelligence
• Digital events
• Exhibitions
• Specialist content
• Research
• Consultancy
• Digital services
• Lead generation
• B2B markets
• Academic markets

Company Website: informa.com

ASSUMPTION: Informa's large size and diverse portfolio provide ample opportunities for career growth and development within the company.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Management

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of MENA Markets

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to expand the role's scope and impact based on successful performance
• Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives across the MENA region
• Possibility to transition into a permanent role, subject to business needs and performance

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to make a substantial impact on Taylor & Francis' presence in the MENA region.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, well-equipped office space

Office Location(s): King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, Ar Riyāḑ, Saudi Arabia

Geographic Context:

• Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 7 million people
• The city is a major commercial hub and a significant center for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East
• Riyadh is home to several universities and research institutions, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and partnership

Work Schedule: Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexible working arrangements

ASSUMPTION: Riyadh's vibrant and growing academic and cultural scene, combined with its strategic importance in the region, makes it an ideal location for this role.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call interview with the HR team
• In-person or video call interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Stakeholder management and communication skills
• Cultural awareness and language proficiency
• Business development and partnership-building skills
• Industry knowledge and market insights

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the Saudi Arabian market and cultural landscape in your application materials
• Prepare examples of your past successes in business development, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder management
• Research Informa and Taylor & Francis to show your enthusiasm for the role and the company

ATS Keywords: Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Stakeholder Management, Arabic Language Skills, Saudi Arabia, Academic Publishing, Government Sector, Market Insights, Strategic Growth Initiatives

ASSUMPTION: Informa's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication, and cultural awareness skills, as well as their industry knowledge and market insights.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the candidate's responsibilities and the team's needs.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-centricity
• Integrity
• Expertise
• Collaboration
• Innovation

Work Style:

• Results-driven and entrepreneurial
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and resilient
• Strategic and forward-thinking
• Culturally aware and respectful

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated your ability to build and maintain strong, long-lasting partnerships with key stakeholders in the past?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully navigated a challenging cultural environment to achieve your goals?
• How do you approach strategic planning and execution, and how have you adapted your strategies to changing market conditions in the past?

ASSUMPTION: Informa values candidates who align with their core values and work style, demonstrating a strong cultural fit and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, international environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Navigating the complex political and cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia
• Balancing the demands of multiple stakeholders, including academic institutions, government agencies, and internal teams
• Managing the expectations and priorities of a large, global organization
• Adapting to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the MENA region
• Working effectively in a hybrid work environment, balancing on-site and remote work

ASSUMPTION: This role presents both unique opportunities and challenges, requiring a strong, adaptable leader to succeed.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other strategic partnerships roles, this position focuses on the academic and government sectors in Saudi Arabia, requiring a deep understanding of the local market and cultural landscape
• Informa's size and global presence provide significant resources and opportunities for growth and development, compared to smaller or more specialized organizations
• This role offers the potential for career progression within the company, with opportunities to take on more responsibility and expand the role's scope based on performance

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other strategic partnerships positions, its unique focus on the Saudi Arabian market and Informa's global scale set it apart.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic growth plan for Taylor & Francis' presence in Saudi Arabia's academic sector
• Negotiating and securing a high-level partnership with a key government agency to expand Taylor & Francis' content offerings
• Identifying and implementing new routes to market for Taylor & Francis content, such as digital platforms or events

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and innovative nature of the role, requiring a strong leader to drive growth and success.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader strategic vision for Taylor & Francis in the MENA region?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does Informa support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the academic publishing industry in the MENA region, and how can this role address them?
• How does Informa foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and what opportunities are there for cross-functional collaboration in this role?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company, and provides valuable information to help you make an informed decision.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/InformaGroupPlc/744000060952421-head-of-strategic-partnerships-2-year-fixed-term-contract-
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your past successes in business development, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder management
• Research Informa and Taylor & Francis to show your enthusiasm for the role and the company
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.