Director, Digital Partnerships

Department: Business DevelopmentReports to: Abed Alkarawani, VP Business Development

Location: Dubai, UAE (regional travel required)Coverage: MENAType: Full-time, permanentRole purposeThe Director – Digital Partnerships builds and runs STARZPLAY's partnerships with digital platforms across MENA.

The role opens new subscriber acquisition channels through bundles, integrations and co-marketing with digital players. It owns the full deal cycle, from pipeline to signed agreement to revenue delivery.Key responsibilitiesDefine and deliver the digital partnerships strategy, with clear annual subscriber and revenue targetsIdentify, pitch and close partnerships with super-apps, e-wallets, digital payment providers, e-commerce platforms, loyalty programmes, gaming and social platforms, and other digital ecosystemsStructure commercial models such as wholesale, revenue share, hard and soft bundles, and promotional campaignsLead negotiations and work with Legal and Finance to close agreements on time and within approval policiesCoordinate technical integrations (APIs, billing, single sign-on, entitlement) with Product and TechnologyPlan go-to-market and co-marketing with partners and the internal Marketing teamTrack partner performance and report KPIs to the VP: activations, revenue, retention and churnManage existing digital partner relationships to grow and renew themBuild the digital partnerships function, including future hiring as the channel scalesFollow internal governance on deal approvals, discounts and commercial termsKey performance indicatorsNew partnerships signed and launchedSubscribers and revenue delivered through digital partnersPartner retention and renewal ratesTime from first meeting to launchRequirementsBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering or a related field; MBA preferred10+ years in business development or partnerships, with at least 5 years in a senior roleA proven record of closing digital partnerships in streaming, media, telecoms, fintech or consumer techStrong network across MENA digital platforms, wallets and e-commerce playersSolid understanding of subscription economics, bundling and API-based integrationsExcellent negotiation and commercial structuring skillsFluent English; Arabic strongly preferredAbility to work across Product, Technology, Marketing, Legal and FinanceWhat success looks like in the first 12 monthsA clear digital partnerships strategy and target list agreed with the VP within the first 90 daysFirst new digital partnerships signed and launchedA regular KPI report on the channel's subscribers and revenue