Country Head, Saudi Arabia

About CAIA Association

The CAIA Association is a worldwide network of progressive investment professionals focused on shaping the future of capital allocation where traditional and alternative assets converge. Committed to enhancing investment performance, the organization provides authoritative leadership, inspiring education, and connections for professionals turning insights into impactful actions.

Role Purpose and Scope

This position is responsible for spearheading CAIA’s strategic growth within Saudi Arabia by building the Kingdom’s leading alternative investment professional community from inception. The role demands entrepreneurial initiative to establish local operations while simultaneously expanding membership, fostering institutional partnerships, and driving revenue streams. The Country Head will coordinate the creation of CAIA’s Saudi entity, strengthen the local Chapter, develop collaborations with academic institutions, regulators, and industry bodies, and engage with the LP/GP investment ecosystem. Serving as the main liaison with the Financial Academy, the role is integral to embedding CAIA as a leading investment voice across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the registration, legal compliance, governance, and operational setup for CAIA’s Saudi entity, ensuring full local ownership and presence from inception.
• Design and implement infrastructure to support growth of teams and membership locally.
• Act as the primary interface with the Financial Academy to deliver joint initiatives and coordinate seamlessly between global and local operations.
• Forge and maintain strategic partnerships with regulatory authorities such as CMA, SAMA, PIF, and others to advocate elevated professional standards, including active participation in forums and industry working groups.
• Collaborate with prominent Saudi universities to integrate CAIA programs into academic finance curricula and spearhead engaging student initiatives.
• Build alliances with local professional bodies to expand CAIA’s footprint in the Kingdom’s investment community.
• Network with sovereign wealth funds, pension schemes, family offices, institutional investors, and private equity, venture capital, real estate, and infrastructure GPs to deepen community engagement.
• Organize exclusive LP/GP forums, roundtables, and co-branded events to create mutual value for members.
• Initiate research projects focusing on Saudi alternative investments.
• Manage the full lifecycle of CAIA’s Saudi sponsorship program, developing proposals, securing multi-year partnerships, and overseeing post-event reporting.
• Target and close sponsorship agreements with corporate entities, including SWFs and financial institutions, customizing offers that integrate events, publications, and digital engagement.
• Lead business development for CAIA.nxt and the CAIA Charter with HR, learning, and investment firms, enhancing membership and sponsorship collaborations.
• Collaborate globally to localize products and execute consultative B2B sales strategies suitable for the Saudi market.
• Monitor sales and sponsorship results versus goals, providing forecasts and identifying opportunities to broaden CAIA’s market footprint.
• Expand and govern the Saudi CAIA Chapter, aligning programming with national Vision 2030 and investment themes.
• Coordinate key member events such as CAIA Days, networking forums, and the AltsME initiative, developing content and securing speakers.
• Work alongside marketing to integrate Saudi outreach with broader regional campaigns, generating media interest and press visibility.
• Launch Islamic Finance focused micro-credentials by partnering with Islamic scholars and subject experts.
• Represent CAIA at industry conferences, securing speaking roles to enhance brand presence.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, or Business, with CFA or CAIA designations highly desirable.
• 8 to 10 years experience in financial services with at least 5 years working in Saudi Arabia.
• In-depth expertise in alternative investments and institutional asset management.
• Proven success in business development, institutional sales, sponsorship acquisition, and partnership formation.
• Strong understanding of Islamic finance principles and the Saudi regulatory landscape.
• Previous experience establishing or managing local entities in Saudi Arabia preferred.
• Existing relationships within the Saudi LP/GP investment community favored.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic and entrepreneurial leadership skills capable of building a presence from the ground up.
• Commercially savvy with demonstrated ability to close complex multi-stakeholder deals.
• Expertise in cultivating C-suite relationships and managing high-level partnerships.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, with confidence in public speaking.
• Fluency in both English and Arabic languages.
• Strong cultural awareness and understanding of Saudi business etiquette.
• Proficient in CRM platforms and experienced in data-driven sales pipeline management.

Personal Attributes

• Results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset with a solid record of initiating ventures.
• Deep understanding of the Gulf business climate and cultural norms.
• Collaborative approach, comfortable liaising across regional and global teams.
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally as required.
• Passionate about advancing standards in alternative investment through CAIA’s mission.

Eligibility and Additional Information

This role is strictly open to Saudi nationals. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities irrespective of gender, age, disability or other protected characteristics in line with Saudi laws, including provisions for reasonable accommodations during recruitment and employment.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a detailed CV and a cover letter that highlights relevant experience in Saudi markets, institutional sales, sponsorship development, and alternative investments.