Chief Executive Officer (Nationalization)

Role Overview

This confidential search is for a Chief Executive Officer based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to guide the growth of an expanding investment management platform. The business concentrates on raising capital from institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals for real estate and alternative investment strategies across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and international markets.

The role calls for a commercially focused leader with strong credibility in the Saudi and GCC investment landscape, along with a demonstrated history of fundraising and business development within asset management.

Strategic Leadership

• Set the company’s direction and translate it into practical growth plans and measurable business goals.
• Oversee the scaling of the investment platform across real estate and alternative investment offerings.
• Spot new market possibilities, partnerships, and investment-led initiatives.
• Help shape a durable, scalable investment management business that supports shareholder objectives.

Capital Raising and Investor Relations

• Drive fundraising activity across institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Maintain and deepen senior relationships with investors and other key stakeholders.
• Lead capital formation initiatives and work toward fundraising targets.
• Present investment opportunities and business plans to potential investors and investment committees.
• Represent the firm at conferences, events, and investor meetings.

Investment Product Development

• Collaborate with the investment team to design and launch attractive investment products.
• Support the structuring, market positioning, and commercial rollout of real estate and alternative investment offerings.
• Ensure products remain aligned with investor needs, market openings, and regulatory obligations.
• Contribute to innovation and diversification across the product set.

Business Development

• Broaden the investor base and build strategic partnerships.
• Explore acquisition, joint venture, and co-investment possibilities.
• Develop relationships with regulators, banks, investment firms, developers, and professional advisers.
• Strengthen the company’s visibility and reputation in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC.

Corporate Leadership and Governance

• Lead executive teams spanning investments, fundraising, operations, compliance, finance, and investor relations.
• Promote a performance-driven culture centered on accountability, growth, and client service.
• Ensure ongoing adherence to regulatory and governance standards.
• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors on performance, fundraising progress, and strategic priorities.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring 15 to 20 years of experience across investment management, asset management, private equity, real estate investment, investment banking, or alternative investments. A strong history of securing major capital commitments from institutional investors, family offices, and HNWIs/UHNWIs is essential, as is experience leading an investment management business or platform.

Deep understanding of real estate investing, private markets, and alternative asset classes is required. Existing relationships within Saudi Arabia’s investment ecosystem are essential, and experience with CMA-regulated entities is highly desirable.

Education and Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related discipline is required. An MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification is preferred, and professional credentials such as CFA or CAIA are an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Leadership in capital raising and fundraising
• Management of institutional investor relationships
• Expertise in alternative investments
• Understanding of real estate investment
• Strategic business expansion
• Product commercialization and distribution
• Executive-level leadership
• Board and stakeholder management
• Strong negotiation and persuasion ability
• Entrepreneurial, commercially oriented mindset

Success Measures

• Delivery of fundraising and assets under management growth targets.
• Expansion of relationships with institutional and private investors.
• Successful launch and scaling of new investment products.
• Improvement in revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Stronger brand reputation and positioning in the Saudi investment market.
• Creation of a high-performing, scalable investment management platform.

Ideal Background

Suitable experience may include leadership roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Chief Commercial Officer, Head of Asset Management, Head of Investor Relations, Head of Capital Raising, Partner in Private Equity or Real Estate, or Regional Head of Investment Management.

Backgrounds from asset management firms, private equity businesses, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, real estate investment platforms, investment banks, and alternative investment firms are especially relevant.

Additional Information

This position is presented as a confidential executive search opportunity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within the investment management, alternative investments, and real estate space.