Head of Network

Role overview

Sharp Minds is looking for a Head of Network to take full ownership of the supply side of the business: a consulting talent platform that places former MBB consultants and senior advisors on high-impact assignments across the Middle East. The network is treated as the core product, and this role is responsible for making it the strongest bench in the region so the team can respond to mandates within 48 hours.

The opportunity

This is a senior build role for someone who would rather grow and shape the consultant network than be placed into it. You will define the network strategy, decide which profiles are added, keep more than 900 senior consultants engaged, and turn a database into a real community that consultants prefer over direct client outreach.

The position is not a traditional recruiting or HR role. It is closer to a talent partner function, where consultants are treated as long-term assets that must be developed, supported, and kept close. You will work directly with the founders and COO, and as the company expands, you will build and lead the talent function underneath you.

About the company

Sharp Minds connects former MBB and Tier-1 consultants with high-impact projects across the Middle East, serving governments, sovereign investors, consulting firms, and leading corporates. The company was created to improve on the problems often seen in independent consulting, including weak communication, little transparency, and generic matching. It has already staffed more than 250 roles and built a network of over 900 consultants. A new platform and website are in development as the business scales further.

How the role works

The team moves quickly, values structured thinking, and expects strong judgment and communication. AI tools are part of the operating style and should be used actively as a productivity and thinking enhancer rather than a shortcut. The quality of the network depends on maintaining a very high standard, and the person in this role is expected to protect that standard while making consultants feel valued and loyal.

This role is best suited to someone who enjoys working closely with sharp people and operating alongside founders. It is not a fit for someone looking for a process-heavy, predictable recruitment environment.

What you will own

• Set the direction for the network: decide which types of consultants to target, how to source them, and how to turn the existing 900+ member base into a compounding advantage.
• Build systems that allow a lean team to manage the network effectively at scale.
• Own events and community building, including monthly Dubai events with guest speakers and networking time, plus two consultant training sessions each month focused on how to succeed as an independent consultant.
• Manage the event calendar, topics, and in-room experience, using these gatherings to improve retention, reputation, and client conversion.
• Support matching for 5–10 engagements every week by quickly identifying the right consultants, understanding availability, and spotting fit beyond the CV.
• Source, screen, and onboard new consultants through MBB alumni groups, LinkedIn, referrals, and live events, while keeping a very high bar for quality and alignment.
• Prepare new joiners to be deployment-ready from day one by setting expectations, explaining positioning, and clarifying how mandates and client relationships work.
• Maintain ongoing relationships across the network, track engagement levels, identify consultants who are between projects or losing momentum, and intervene early before they disengage or approach clients directly.

Success in the first 12 months

• A stronger, more selective bench with visible improvements in consultant quality and a clear strategy for where the network should deepen next.
• Events that run smoothly, regularly attract strong attendance, and show measurable improvements in retention and referrals.
• Higher engagement across the network, with consultants staying responsive and connected for longer periods and fewer drifting away or leaving for direct client opportunities.

Why this role may suit you

• You have a background at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or another top-tier strategy firm and ideally 4+ years of experience in that environment.
• You naturally build trust and are comfortable keeping senior people close without being transactional.
• You have experience as an independent consultant yourself, or at least understand the challenges that come with that style of work.
• You hold a strong quality bar and prefer a smaller, stronger bench over a larger, weaker one.
• You communicate clearly, write in a structured way, and present yourself confidently in person.
• You can work through ambiguity, adapt to shifting priorities, and use tools, including AI, to produce better outcomes.
• A network across the Middle East is a bonus and would accelerate your impact, though it is not mandatory.

What is on offer

• Full ownership of the network from strategy through execution.
• A leadership path from day one, with the opportunity to build and lead the talent function as the company grows.
• A front-row seat in Dubai’s consulting ecosystem, working with senior consultants and clients at high-calibre events.
• A competitive package that includes base salary, performance bonus, profit-sharing upside, and a MacBook.

Working model

This is a Dubai-based role and requires you to be on the ground building the network and running events in person. The day-to-day schedule is flexible and focused on outcomes rather than fixed hours, but the role itself is rooted in Dubai.

Additional information

The opportunity is designed for someone who enjoys taking ownership, shaping a premium network, and operating with speed and judgment in an environment where communication quality matters.