SVP, Brand and Business Development - GCC

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: SVP, Brand and Business Development - GCC

🔹 Company: Authentic Brands Group

🔹 Location: Dubai, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Retail Apparel and Fashion

🔹 Date Posted: June 2, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading Authentic's business across the MEA territory, focusing on increasing brand presence
• Managing business development goals, current licensee royalty streams, licensee management, and marketing initiatives
• Collaborating with corporate leadership to execute strategies and manage relationships with key retailers and licensees
• Building and leading a high-performing team to optimize business performance and achieve revenue targets

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader with extensive experience in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development within the MEA territory.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead Authentic's MEA territory strategy, including planning, revenue forecasting, business analysis, territory analysis, and due diligence on retail landscapes

✅ Lead relationship with key retailers/commercial real estate companies in the region to leverage strategic growth with existing and new brand presence

✅ Work collaboratively with licensees to develop and execute critical action plans, including product initiatives, wholesale, retail, and digital marketplace distribution efforts

✅ Maximize supply chain connectivity within the region to ensure price and product propositions are consistent and competitive in the respective markets

✅ Co-lead business development, including building and directing business development in the MEA territory, driving sales activity, developing leads, and closing deals

✅ Drive royalty overages through proactive and bespoke brand and marketing tactics to achieve and exceed revenue targets

✅ Oversee brand and marketing management, ensuring protocols and practices are in place for licensees to perform per the terms and standards of their agreements

✅ Monitor licensee performance and proactively troubleshoot and correct challenges relating to key contractual and operational issues

✅ Lead accounts receivable and collections activity, develop collections center-of-excellence across the area of responsibility

✅ Manage and monitor the MEA territory operating budget, proactively adjusting the budget to achieve P&L goals

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the licensing business model, as well as excellent communication and problem-solving skills to manage various aspects of the business.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree, MBA preferred

Experience: 15+ years in fashion, retail, or celebrity and entertainment, with extensive knowledge of the MEA retail landscape

Required Skills:

• Executive-level leadership qualities
• Extensive hands-on experience leading all aspects of a business operation
• Proven ability to anticipate market challenges and develop mitigation strategies
• Decisive problem-solving skills with the ability to assess situations quickly and choose a path forward
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Extensive hands-on experience with the mechanics of the licensing business model
• Possess an extensive network of contacts in the licensing and retail sectors

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working independently
• Fluency in Arabic

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development within the MEA territory are highly sought after for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $250,000 - $350,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a senior-level role in the MEA territory)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• 401(k) or similar retirement plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off and holidays

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior-level role in the MEA territory. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and other factors.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Authentic Brands Group operates in the retail apparel and fashion industry, focusing on brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development

Company Size: 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and impact

Founded: 2010, with a history of growth and expansion in the global retail and licensing market

Company Description:

• Authentic Brands Group is a unified platform that integrates M&A, licensing, brand strategy, and digital innovation to unlock the power of its global portfolio
• The company connects iconic sports, lifestyle, entertainment, and media brands with best-in-class partners to optimize long-term value in the marketplace
• Authentic owns more than 50 global brands, generating approximately $32 billion in annual retail sales, with a significant presence in 150 countries

Company Specialties:

• Brand licensing
• Retail relationships
• Business development
• Brand strategy
• Digital innovation

Company Website: corporate.authentic.com

ASSUMPTION: Authentic Brands Group is a well-established company in the retail apparel and fashion industry, with a strong global presence and a diverse portfolio of brands.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-level position, reporting directly to the EVP for Lifestyle Brands EMEAI

Reporting Structure: This role has overall responsibility for Authentic's Lifestyle and Entertainment businesses in the MEA territory, including business development goals, current licensee royalty streams, licensee management, execution of marketing initiatives, and managing administrative costs

Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work as needed

Growth Opportunities:

• Building and leading a high-performing team, with opportunities for mentoring and talent development
• Expanding Authentic's brand presence and distribution in the MEA territory, including retail and ecommerce
• Potential for career advancement within the company's global organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on Authentic's business in the MEA territory.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a modern and collaborative work environment

Office Location(s): Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Geographic Context:

• Dubai is a major commercial hub and the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates
• The city offers a multicultural environment, with a mix of traditional and modern influences
• Dubai has a thriving retail industry, with numerous shopping centers, malls, and boutiques

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: Dubai provides a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with a strong retail industry and numerous opportunities for business growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or video interview with the hiring manager
• Final round interview with senior leadership
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Leadership and team management skills
• Industry knowledge and experience in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development
• Communication and problem-solving skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Authentic's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the MEA retail landscape and Authentic's brand portfolio
• Prepare examples of your past achievements in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development
• Research Authentic's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit

ATS Keywords: Brand Licensing, Retail Relationships, Business Development, Sales, Brand Management, Marketing, P&L Management, Problem Solving, Communication, Networking, Team Leadership, Talent Development, Budgeting, Forecasting, Market Analysis, Ecommerce

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership skills, industry knowledge, and cultural fit with Authentic's values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

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

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard tools and technologies is required for this role, with a focus on CRM software, project management, and data analysis.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Accountability
• Excellence

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Strong focus on teamwork and collaboration
• Results-driven and data-informed decision-making
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Authentic's core values, particularly integrity and collaboration?
• How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with key retailers and licensees in a multicultural environment?
• How do you balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution to achieve business goals?

ASSUMPTION: Authentic Brands Group values candidates who demonstrate strong alignment with the company's core values, as well as the ability to thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Navigating the diverse and complex retail landscape in the MEA territory
• Managing relationships with multiple licensees and retailers across various categories and regions
• Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational management
• Adapting to the unique cultural and business environments in the MEA territory

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring a strong and adaptable leader with extensive experience in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development within the MEA territory.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other senior-level brand licensing roles, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities, including business development, marketing, and team management
• Authentic's global portfolio and extensive retail presence provide unique opportunities for growth and impact
• Career progression in this role may lead to global leadership positions within the company's organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of responsibilities, with the potential for significant growth and impact within Authentic's global organization.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to expand Authentic's brand presence in the MEA territory, including retail and ecommerce
• Negotiating and closing deals with key retailers and licensees to drive royalty overages and achieve revenue targets
• Managing and mentoring a high-performing team, including brand management and retail/licensee business development employees

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the strategic and hands-on nature of this role, requiring a strong and adaptable leader with extensive experience in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development within the MEA territory.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of Authentic's brand presence in the MEA territory and the strategic vision for growth?
• How does Authentic support its licensees and retail partners in the MEA territory, and what are the key priorities for this role?
• What are the most significant challenges facing Authentic's business in the MEA territory, and how can this role address them?
• How does Authentic foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and what opportunities are there for professional growth and development in this role?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your understanding of Authentic's business in the MEA territory.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your past achievements in brand licensing, retail relationships, and business development
• Research Authentic's company culture and values to ensure a strong fit
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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