Head of Investor Capital & Relations - Middle East

Skills

About the Role

You will operate independently across the Gulf with a global reporting line and executive sponsorship, building the firm's Middle East franchise from first principles. You will own senior coverage of the region's sovereign wealth funds, government related entities and principal family offices, mapping their decision making architecture and investment committee cadence. You will lead regional fundraising for the firm's investment vehicles, originate sovereign co-investment dialogues, and manage institutional diligence processes end to end. You will advise on the hub determination between DIFC and ADGM, lead the establishment of the regional office, and coordinate with counsel and government relations workstreams. You will represent the firm at the region's priority investment forums, run a regional events calendar, and recruit and develop the regional Relationship Manager and subsequent hires. You will ensure all regional marketing and promotion activity complies with applicable regimes and maintain rigorous KYC, AML and sanctions awareness. The role is based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and requires travel of 50 percent or more across the GCC and wider MENA, with periodic travel to Los Angeles and New York.

Requirements

• 10 or more years covering MENA institutional capital from an investment bank, sovereign investor, placement agent, asset manager or family office platform
• At least 5 years in a senior client facing capacity
• Demonstrable senior relationships inside GCC sovereign institutions and principal family offices
• Referenceable record of capital raised, commitments secured or strategic partnerships executed in the region
• Working knowledge of DIFC and ADGM frameworks and private placement practice across the GCC
• Experience marketing alternative strategies such as credit, special situations or private equity to sovereign and family office investors preferred
• Familiarity with Shariah aware structuring considerations preferred
• Experience establishing or operating a regulated or exempt presence in the DIFC or ADGM preferred
• Deep cultural fluency and protocol judgment in sovereign, government and family office settings
• Proven ability to operate independently in region on a global platform
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English; Arabic language fluency preferred
• Clean regulatory and disciplinary history
• Bachelor's degree required
• CFA or CAIA charter or equivalent preferred

Responsibilities

• Own senior coverage of the region's sovereign wealth funds and government related entities
• Build and maintain coverage of GCC family offices, regional institutional investors and banks
• Map the decision making architecture of each priority institution
• Lead regional pre-marketing and fundraising processes for the firm's investment vehicles
• Originate and manage sovereign co-investment dialogues alongside fund principals
• Manage institutional diligence processes end to end, including DDQ coordination and data room support
• Advise the hub determination between DIFC and ADGM and lead establishment of the regional office
• Build the firm's presence across the region's priority investment forums and run a regional events calendar
• Coordinate with the firm's government relations and sovereign engagement workstreams
• Recruit and develop the regional Relationship Manager and subsequent hires
• Ensure regional marketing and promotion activity complies with applicable regulatory regimes
• Maintain rigorous counterparty awareness including KYC, AML and sanctions screening coordination

Benefits

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision plans
• Unlimited Flexible Time Off
• Personalized career roadmap
• Professional development through training and educational opportunities