MENA Business Development Manager

Overview

In this role you drive the growth and optimization of crude trading opportunities for the Europe, East & Derivatives desk, with a focus on the MENA region. You work closely with trading desks and regional teams to originate, structure, and deliver term supply and offtake deals, while balancing risk and compliance. You will build strategic relationships across Shell and external partners to unlock value and support the broader trading strategy. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role that combines commercial, strategic, and project leadership in a global energy context.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working hours
• remote/mobile working
• competitive salary with annual performance-related increase
• paid parental leave
• diversity and inclusion initiatives
• training and development programmes

Responsibilities

• Identify and originate new crude trading opportunities aligned with the EED strategy
• Develop term offtake and crude supply agreements with independent producers, national and regional oil companies
• Establish and maintain strategic customer relationships complementary to EED desks
• Create innovative customer solutions while assessing credit, price risk, HSSE and reputation risks
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements including financing, hedging, and M&A aspects
• Project manage development opportunities and lead cross-functional teams to delivery
• Support trading desks in regional activities to maximize trading value
• Coordinate with functions to obtain approvals (New Business Proposals, PCNs, Group Investment Proposals)
• Collaborate with Upstream, Downstream, and other Shell businesses to realize trading value across Portfolio, NBD and A&D
• Travel regularly to the Middle East and engage with regional customers; London-based with potential relocation considerations

Key requirements

• Arabic speaker is required
• Relevant Business Development experience with successful origination projects
• Experience in trading environments and knowledge of relevant markets/logistics is helpful
• Experience in originating and structuring financing transactions (including M&A) is desirable
• Strong numerical ability and quick learner
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities; able to engage at all organizational levels
• Negotiation skills with a track record in trading contracts, financing agreements, and/or equity/M&A
• Resilience and ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Willingness to learn quickly and develop understanding of Trading

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities
• Ability to build consensus across interfaces
• Knowledge of crude trading markets and logistics
• Experience with financing transactions and M&A
• Understanding of risk concepts (credit, price risk) and HSSE considerations

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