Country Director

🌏 Country Director / Chief Representative – Australia | UAE Government Trade Institution | Sydney

A UAE government-linked trade institution with an established presence in Australia is looking for a Country Director to lead its Sydney office.

If you have deep roots in the Australian business or government landscape and want to play a genuine role in shaping trade and investment flows between Australia and one of the world's most dynamic business hubs, this is the role.

The Opportunity

This looks simple on paper. It isn't.

You'll be the sole senior representative of a Dubai-based, government-funded trade promotion body in Australia, doing the planning, the outreach, the events, the connections, and everything in between. You are the office. There's no team to delegate to, no one to hand off the hard parts to. You get things done with your own hands.

What makes it compelling: you're backed by a serious institution, operating with real authority, and promoting a proposition that's genuinely easy to sell. All services are free of charge, and you're opening doors to one of the world's most business-friendly destinations.

What You'll Do

• Proactively reach out to Australian companies and convince them to establish or expand a presence in Dubai
• Build and manage relationships across both the government and private sector; you need to be credible in both worlds
• Plan, organise, and personally run networking events, business missions, and trade programs
• Represent the institution at public forums and high-level engagements, including with senior government figures
• Support UAE-based businesses entering the Australian market
• Report on market developments, opportunities, and activity to HQ in Dubai
• Manage the day-to-day running of the Sydney office

The Details

• Sydney, NSW (hybrid)
• Target start: ASAP / Early August 2026

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• 8–10 years in trade promotion, international relations, government affairs, economic development, or B2B business development
• Deeply embedded in Australia: you know the market, the companies, and the people; candidates who have recently relocated will not be considered
• Strong connections across both government and private sector, and the credibility to navigate both
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and execution-focused; you don't wait to be told, and you're not looking to just set strategy
• Comfortable working at the highest level of clients and stakeholders, including government officials
• Politically aware and discreet; this is a semi-government role representing the Dubai government and protocol matters
• No active private business, consulting practice, or personal entity on the side; this role requires full dedication and must be free of any conflict of interest
• Degree in International Business, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field
• Based in Sydney; regular domestic and international travel required (all logistics covered)