General Manager, Digital Brand (MENA)

About Circles

Established in 2014, Circles is a technology company focused on transforming the telecom sector through its SaaS platform. The company enables telco operators around the world to launch modern digital brands or modernize existing ones, helping them move faster in their shift toward becoming tech companies.

Circles works with major telecom operators across several countries and regions, including KDDI Corporation, Etisalat Group (e&), AT&T, and Telkomsel, and its products support digital telco experiences used by millions of customers globally.

In addition to its SaaS platform, Circles runs three other businesses: Circles.Life, a Singapore-based digital lifestyle telco brand; Circles Aspire, a CPaaS provider offering cloud-based communications services for enterprises and developers; and Jetpac, a travel-tech business known for eSIM roaming across more than 200 destinations and travel lifestyle products.

The company is supported by global investors such as Peak XV Partners, Warburg Pincus, Founders Fund, and EDBI.

Role Overview

This is a permanent, full-time leadership role based onsite in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The position calls for a highly strategic and execution-driven General Manager to launch and expand a new digital telco brand across the MENA region. The role blends long-term vision with direct operational ownership in a fast-moving, digital-first environment.

As the commercial owner of the business, you will be accountable for customer growth, digital experience, commercial results, and brand positioning. You will also guide a cross-functional organization spanning product, growth, technology, and customer operations to create a scalable and standout digital telco offering.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the brand from pre-launch preparation through market launch and into commercial scale-up.

Shape and implement strategies for acquisition, engagement, and retention so the business grows quickly and sustainably.

Build, coach, and lead strong teams across commercial, marketing, product, customer experience, customer service, and operations.

Take ownership of budgeting, forecasting, and business performance management, including full P&L responsibility.

Develop and maintain productive relationships with external partners such as MNOs, technology vendors, agencies, and regulatory authorities, as well as internal leadership and group teams.

Manage multi-channel growth plans with a strong digital focus, including coordination with media and creative agencies to ensure execution supports the brand strategy.

Continuously improve customer experience and digital journeys by using data and insights to refine the product and service experience.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring more than 20 years of experience in telecommunications, digital brands, or consumer technology, with a strong background in leadership roles at Tier-1 operators or Tier-1 markets.

They should have a strong record of launching and scaling consumer-facing businesses, preferably in digital-first, disruptive, or fast-growth startup settings.

Deep expertise is needed in digital growth drivers such as performance marketing, lifecycle marketing, UX, and product innovation.

A strong understanding of telco economics, customer journeys, and commercial performance is essential, along with a proven ability to manage and influence partners, stakeholders, and external agencies.

The role also requires excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, plus the ability to solve complex problems quickly.

Applicants should be strategic thinkers with a builder mindset and be comfortable operating in fast-paced, zero-to-one environments.

Experience in or with the MENA region, along with prior B2C launch exposure, is strongly preferred.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should be entrepreneurial, results-driven, agile, adaptable, decisive, innovative, and highly customer-focused.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Circles is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, national origin, gender, disability, or age.

Data Protection and Privacy

By applying for this role, the applicant or their authorized representative agrees to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data for recruitment purposes in line with the company’s Candidate Data Protection and Privacy Policy. The applicant acknowledges awareness of their personal data rights, applicable international data transfers, and the ability to withdraw consent at any time, though doing so may limit consideration for the role. If a third party submits the application or personal data, that party must be authorized to do so on the applicant’s behalf.

Recruitment Agency Notice

Recruitment agencies will only receive acknowledgment for resumes if they participate in the company’s preferred supplier partnership program. Unsolicited resumes should not be sent to company email aliases, employees, or offices, and the company will not be responsible for any fees tied to resumes submitted outside its ATS.