Business Development - Lead Generation

About zenda

zenda is a fintech partner dedicated exclusively to the education sector, providing schools, colleges, and nurseries with products that boost collection efficiency, digitize payments, and offer payment flexibility to parents and guardians. Since its launch in 2021, zenda is active in 40% of UAE's K-12 schools and supports over 500 schools across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, serving more than 150,000 parents and processing over $1 billion annually in transactions. The company collaborates with leading global networks and integrates seamlessly with 70+ SIS and ERP systems. Backed by prominent investors such as the $1.5 billion Saudi Technology Venture and Global Founders Capital, zenda is expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia and Europe.

Role Overview

We seek a motivated business development specialist to lead our global sales funnel. This role involves identifying, engaging, and qualifying new prospects internationally, preparing a well-vetted pipeline for the sales team. Located in Dubai, UAE, the position comprises about 70% digital outreach—utilizing email, LinkedIn, calls, and AI-powered tools—and roughly 30% direct in-person engagement with decision-makers in educational institutions. The candidate will engage heads of departments, finance directors, operations managers, and admissions staff where personal reputation and word-of-mouth are critical. The role is highly collaborative and offers direct interaction with the core team and founding leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute structured, multi-channel outreach campaigns across global markets, leveraging AI tools for personalized and efficient communication via email, LinkedIn, cold calls, and events.
• Conduct impactful face-to-face meetings to open key accounts and build rapport with gatekeepers and final decision-makers where remote communication falls short.
• Perform rigorous qualification of prospects including budget assessment, decision-maker identification, and timeline evaluation, ensuring comprehensive handoff to sales with full context and stakeholder insights.
• Maintain an organized, predictable sales pipeline in Freshsales CRM and continuously refine messaging based on campaign performance.
• Serve as the brand ambassador for zenda at industry conferences and through direct communications, creating favorable first impressions in the market.

Candidate Requirements

• 3 to 5 years of B2B business development or lead generation experience with demonstrable success in generating high-quality pipelines; prepared to discuss performance metrics.
• Proficiency in digital tools including outreach sequencing software, CRM systems, and AI prospecting platforms, with experience managing structured campaigns.
• Excellent written English, comfort engaging senior institutional buyers, and willingness to travel approximately 30% for school and university visits.
• Experience working across multiple geographies or time zones is advantageous; background in education, fintech, or SaaS is a plus.
• Commitment to diversity; applications from women are particularly encouraged.

Success Attributes

• Highly driven and persistent self-starter able to handle rejection constructively and stay motivated.
• Technologically adept with sales and AI tools, resourceful in overcoming obstacles without straightforward solutions.
• Skilled at building lasting professional relationships that generate referrals.
• Analytical and methodical, tracking conversion rates and differentiating between mere activity and meaningful pipeline progression.
• Strong and independent communicator, capable of crafting emails that elicit responses and meeting self-imposed goals.

What We Provide

• A pivotal role within a fast-growing edtech fintech firm with direct access to founders and influence over market strategies.
• Competitive pay with performance bonuses and stock option equity, offering ownership in company success.
• Opportunities for upward mobility into more expansive commercial roles as the company grows.