Trusted by more startups around the world, AWS makes the power of cloud computing accessible for all by giving founders everywhere access to the same technology that powers the world’s largest companies. With nearly 20 years of experience gained from supporting hundreds of thousands of startups that have come before, we help founders prove that their world-changing ideas are possible, at any stage of growth or level of funding. This is why more startups, and over 80% of unicorns, build on AWS.
As as the Head of Startup Business Development - Middle East, North Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa within AWS, you will have an exciting opportunity to shape and make an impact on the best startups in this market. Your responsibilities will include managing a team of business development managers to drive AWS adoption and market penetration in startups while building strategic relationships with key stakeholders in the startup ecosystem, including investors, accelerators and incubators.
The ideal candidate will possess both a sound business background and experience that enables them to effectively interact at the CxO/VP-level startup executives, as well as a technical background that allows them to effectively engage with CTOs and software developers. They should also have a demonstrated ability to think strategically and analytically about business, products, and technical challenges, with the ability to build and convey compelling value propositions, and work cross-organizationally. They will also possess a passion for new and emerging technologies and how they can shape the future.
AWS Sales, Marketing, and Global Services is responsible for driving revenue, adoption, and growth from the largest and fastest growing small- and mid-market accounts to enterprise-level customers including public sector. The AWS Global Support team interacts with leading companies and believes that world-class support is critical to customer success. AWS Support also partners with a global list of customers that are building mission-critical applications on top of AWS services.
Key job responsibilities
Key job responsibilities
Drive the necessary business insights, strategic and technical relationships with startups, startup organizations and key stakeholders in the region to establish meaningful business relationships and drive cloud adoption
Educate startups and startup organizations on technical matters and how AWS can help companies scale and grow by leveraging AWS services and go-to-market programs
Serve as a key member of the regional leadership Startup team in helping to drive overall AWS market and technical strategy in the startup ecosystem
Execute strategic initiatives for AWS, while working with key internal stakeholders
Provide day to day management of business development managers
Analyze market data to identify emerging trends to help shape strategy for the region
Create vision/mission and identity for the team
Work across peer group of leaders to create interlock across other functional teams
Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment
Source deal flow from established and developed network of startup founders/operators and investors (VCs)
A day in the life
On a daily basis you will lead a talented team of business development managers by supporting them as they nurture and grow their portfolio of startups and investors they work with. Being customer obsessed you will leverage insights from your team and direct feedback from customers/partners, to apply critical thinking to develop strategy. You'll help coach your team to win the hearts and minds of the best startups through our differentiated value proposition.
About the team
You’ll collaborate with a team of former startup founders and executives, CTOs and investors with strong background who are passionate about startups and technology. This is a thriving environment to learn and leverage your network across builders.
ABOUT AWS:
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Has established relationships with well-respected venture capital firms they have collaborated with in the past
Experience as either a founder who successfully raised funding from a prominent venture capital firm, an operator at a top venture-backed startup, or an employee at a larger established company
Strong experience hiring and leading large teams
Experience with cloud technologies, including AI
Experience working in multiple Middle Eastern and African markets and leading high performing teams as a people manager.
Significant business development and/or sales leadership experience
Excellent verbal and written skills
Go To Market expert
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