Partnerships Development Manager

At Classera, we believe in transforming education and training through innovative digital solutions, making learning more engaging, effective, and accessible across the globe. With a strong footprint in the EdTech and digital training industry, Classera has become a trusted partner for governments, corporates, semi-government entities, and academic institutions seeking to align with the digital-first economy.

As part of our ambitious growth in the Middle East, we are looking for a Partnerships Development Manager – Saudi Arabia who will play a critical role in shaping Classera’s partner-led expansion across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC.

This position is not just a sales or business development job. It is a strategic ecosystem role where you will sit at the intersection of public policy, corporate innovation, and digital transformation. You will have the responsibility of building long-term, high-impact relationships with Saudi Arabia’s most influential stakeholders – from government and semi-government authorities (such as SDAIA, DGA, Elm, Theqa) to telecom giants (STC, Zain) and international bodies (like UNESCO RCQE).

Your work will directly contribute to Saudi Vision 2030, accelerating the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey and empowering its citizens with modern education and training systems. This is a rare opportunity to drive societal impact, business growth, and digital innovation simultaneously.

Why This Role is Critical

Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious national digital and education transformations in the world. Initiatives such as SDAIA’s AI strategy, DGA’s digital governance programs, and nationwide education modernization are creating new opportunities for collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and global innovation leaders.

Classera, as a leading EdTech player, is strategically positioned to be at the center of this movement. The Partnerships Development Manager – Saudi will act as a bridge between Classera and these ecosystem players, ensuring that Classera is not only part of these transformations but is a catalyst that accelerates them.

This role is not transactional. It is vision-driven. Every partnership you build will create ripple effects across industries – whether enabling smarter digital classrooms, empowering corporate workforce upskilling, or enabling Saudi entities to co-innovate with international education leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Your mandate will be broad and impactful, covering multiple markets and partner ecosystems:

Strategic Partnership Development

• Identify, onboard, and manage strategic partnerships across Saudi Arabia, with a focus on expansion into Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.
• Build strong alliances with semi-government institutions such as Elm and Theqa, telecom providers like STC and Zain, and major government digital transformation initiatives.

Government & National Digital Initiatives

• Lead engagement with SDAIA (Saudi Data and AI Authority), DGA (Digital Government Authority), and other national bodies responsible for driving the Kingdom’s AI and digital strategy.
• Ensure Classera is a trusted partner in Saudi’s Vision 2030 agenda, actively shaping CSR and commercial partnerships in education and training.

Ecosystem & Industry Engagement

• Work closely with EdTech partnership departments to unlock collaborative opportunities within Saudi’s education and training ecosystem.
• Represent Classera in key industry events, exhibitions, and forums related to digital transformation, education, and workforce development.

Business Growth & Co-Innovation

• Develop joint business opportunities with partners through co-selling strategies, solution bundling, and joint go-to-market initiatives.
• Track partner-influenced pipeline and ensure consistent reporting and alignment with Classera’s leadership.

Cross-Functional Alignment

• Work with internal teams (Sales, Product, Marketing, Customer Success) to ensure partnerships translate into real, measurable business impact.
• Manage the entire partnership lifecycle: from opportunity identification to contracting, launch, and post-launch growth.

Qualifications & Requirements

We are seeking a relationship-driven leader who thrives in high-stake, multi-stakeholder environments. You must be able to connect the dots between education, government, technology, and corporate innovation.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, or a related field.
• An MBA is highly preferred and will be considered a strong differentiator.

Professional Experience:

• 5–7 years of proven success in strategic partnerships, business development, or ecosystem engagement.
• Experience in EdTech, SaaS, or other technology-driven industries is highly desirable.
• Strong background in working with Saudi public and semi-government entities.
• Prior track record of engaging with entities like SDAIA, DGA, or similar government-driven digital initiatives.

Domain Knowledge & Skills:

• Familiarity with the Saudi education and training ecosystem (governmental, corporate, and semi-governmental programs).
• Ability to form and execute joint business initiatives and co-selling strategies.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to negotiate high-value strategic deals.

Soft Skills & Attributes:

• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English (verbal and written).
• Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for education and digital transformation.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Saudi Arabia and occasionally across the GCC.

Preferred Attributes

• Knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s national digital transformation and AI initiatives.
• A strong personal and professional network within Saudi’s EdTech, training, and public innovation sectors.
• Passion for education and social impact – a belief that education is the foundation for national progress.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-growth, and multicultural environments.

Why Join Classera?

• Impact-Driven Mission: Your work will not only grow Classera’s business but will also have a direct impact on the future of education and workforce development in Saudi Arabia.
• Strategic Exposure: You will work at the intersection of government policy, private sector innovation, and international collaboration.
• Regional Leadership Role: Although your primary focus will be Saudi Arabia, you will have additional responsibilities across Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, giving you a broader GCC leadership profile.
• Growth & Innovation Culture: Be part of a company that thrives on innovation, creativity, and partner-first thinking.