Country Head, Saudi Arabia

This position is open to Saudi nationals only

CAIA Association is a global network of forward-thinking investment professionals, redefining the future of capital allocation in a world where traditional and alternative converge. United by a commitment to improving investment outcomes, we lead with authority, educate to inspire, and connect people who turn insight into action. 

Lead CAIA’s strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia by establishing the Kingdom’s premier alternative investment professional community. This is a ground-up, entrepreneurial role requiring someone who can build from scratch — laying the operational foundations of CAIA’s local presence while simultaneously driving membership growth, institutional relationships, and revenue. The Country Head will lead the establishment of CAIA’s local Saudi entity, strengthen the Saudi Chapter, forge partnerships with business schools, regulators and industry bodies, cultivate relationships with the LP/GP ecosystem, and position CAIA as a leading voice in the Kingdom’s investment landscape. The role serves as primary liaison with our strategic partner, the Financial Academy.

Local Entity Establishment & Strategic Leadership

• Lead the establishment and operationalisation of CAIA’s local Saudi entity, including coordinating with legal, compliance and HQ teams on registration, governance and ongoing requirements.
• Act as the senior in-country representative, taking full ownership of CAIA’s on-the-ground presence from day one.
• Build the operational infrastructure needed to support a growing local team and member base.
• Serve as primary liaison with the Financial Academy, developing joint programmes and ensuring seamless coordination between CAIA global operations and the local entity.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations

• Build strategic relationships with CMA, SAMA, PIF and key regulatory bodies, positioning CAIA as a trusted partner in advancing professional standards; participate in regulatory forums and industry working groups.
• Establish partnerships with leading Saudi universities, integrating CAIA into finance programmes and organising on-campus events and student engagement initiatives.
• Forge alliances with industry associations and professional bodies across the Kingdom to broaden CAIA’s reach and embed the designation within the Saudi investment community.
• Cultivate relationships with SWFs, pension funds, family offices and institutional investors; build a network within the PE, VC, real estate and infrastructure GP community.
• Organise exclusive LP/GP forums, roundtables and co-branded events that deliver reciprocal member value.
• Collaborate on research initiatives focused on Saudi alternative investments.

Sponsorship Strategy & Revenue Development

• Own and lead CAIA’s Saudi Arabia sponsorship programme end-to-end, from pipeline development to contract closure and post-event reporting.
• Design bespoke, high-value sponsorship packages for CAIA events, research publications, digital platforms and Chapter activations in the Kingdom; negotiate multi-year agreements with major institutional and corporate partners.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of corporate sponsors — including SWFs, financial institutions and corporates — tracking engagement and conversion metrics.
• Lead B2B sales efforts for CAIA.nxt and the CAIA Charter, targeting HR and L&D leaders, investment firms and institutional training programmes; drive firm-level membership and study group sponsorship agreements.
• Develop and execute a consultative sales approach tailored to Saudi investment firms and the local regulatory environment; collaborate with global teams to localise propositions for GCC audiences.
• Track sales performance and sponsorship revenue against KPIs, providing regular forecasting to the Managing Director, EMEA; identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities across CAIA’s product suite, including microcredentials.

Chapter Development & Events

• Grow the CAIA Saudi Arabia Chapter with robust governance and engagement programmes; align programming with Vision 2030 priorities and Kingdom investment themes.
• Organise CAIA Days, networking events, thought leadership forums and support the organisation of AltsME.
• Co-develop event concepts that serve both member engagement and sponsorship objectives; support the planning and execution of flagship Saudi and GCC events, including speaker sourcing and partner coordination.
• Work closely with the EMEA marketing team to align outreach with regional campaigns and thought leadership content; identify opportunities to generate earned media and press coverage.

Market Presence & Content

• Launch the Islamic Finance micro-credential in the Saudi market; partner with Sharia scholars and Islamic finance experts to develop relevant content and programming.
• Commission research on the Saudi alternative investment landscape to strengthen CAIA’s intellectual leadership in the region.
• Represent CAIA at major industry events; secure high-visibility speaking opportunities and panel moderations to build consistent brand presence across the Kingdom.

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, or Business; CFA/CAIA strongly preferred.
• 8–10 years in financial services with 5+ years based in Saudi Arabia.
• Expertise in alternative investments and institutional asset management.
• Proven track record in business development, institutional sales, sponsorship development and strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of Islamic finance and the Saudi regulatory environment.
• Experience establishing or operating local entities in Saudi Arabia preferred.
• Established Saudi LP/GP network preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership and entrepreneurial execution — comfortable building from the ground up.
• Exceptional commercial acumen; a proven closer with the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder sales and sponsorship processes.
• C-suite relationship building, stakeholder management and consultative partnership closure.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; confident presenter and public speaker.
• Fluent in English and Arabic (written and verbal).
• Cultural intelligence and deep understanding of Saudi business protocols.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and data-driven pipeline management.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and results-driven, with a track record of building from the ground up.
• Culturally attuned to the Saudi and Gulf business environment.
• Collaborative team player comfortable working across global and regional teams.
• Willing to travel across the GCC and internationally as required.
• Committed to CAIA’s mission of advancing professional standards in alternative investment.

Candidates should submit a comprehensive CV and a cover letter addressing specific experience in the Saudi market, institutional sales, sponsorship development and alternative investments. 

CAIA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with Saudi law. We welcome applications from persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment.

About CAIA Association

The CAIA Association, a global professional body, pioneers a new era in investment management. At the forefront of the shifting of alternative investment asset classes from 'alternative' to mainstream, CAIA embraces diverse expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge essential for responsible capital allocation and client stewardship. A Member-driven organization representing professionals in more than 100 countries, the organization seeks to prepare investors for a dynamic future, disrupting traditions, creating opportunities, and fostering long-term sustainability. To learn more about the CAIA Association and how to become part of a professional network that is shaping the future of investing, please visit https://caia.org/.