Chief Executive Officer

The Mandate

The Board seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to helm a sovereign-backed enterprise operating in a nation-critical sector. The mandate encompasses three strategic pillars:

• Scaling the enterprise to deliver sustained revenue growth and margin enhancement across a multi-line P&L, while instilling robust operating discipline befitting a national asset.
• Strengthening the institution by cultivating a leadership bench, implementing a robust governance framework, and fortifying risk posture to ensure the enterprise's longevity and readiness for its next phase.
• Representing the enterprise at the highest level, serving as its principal voice with government, regulators, investors, and strategic partners, aligning commercial ambition with national priorities.

This is a transformative role, demanding tangible outcomes rather than mere activity.

Key Accountabilities

Strategy & Growth: Own the corporate strategy end-to-end, from formulation and Board approval to capital allocation and execution against a multi-year plan aligned with national priorities. Identify and pursue growth vectors, supported by clear investment theses and stage-gated commitments.

Financial Performance: Assume full P&L accountability, ensuring financial reporting meets the standards expected of a sovereign-backed institution, including audit readiness and capital-markets-grade transparency.

Leadership & Organization: Recruit, develop, and retain a high-caliber executive team, establishing succession plans for all critical roles within the first 18 months. Foster a performance-driven culture with clear targets, honest reviews, and accountability at every level, including the C-suite.

Governance, Risk & Compliance: Maintain full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and sovereign-entity governance requirements. Own the enterprise risk register and its mitigation plans, reporting to the Board with candid assessments of performance, risk exposure, and market conditions.

External Representation: Act as the enterprise's principal spokesperson and relationship owner with ministries, regulators, sovereign investors, and key commercial counterparties. Protect and build the enterprise's reputation through consistent, transparent, and disciplined communication.

What Success Looks Like (First 24 Months)

A Board-approved strategy in execution, with quarterly milestones met or transparently reforecast. Measurable improvement in the enterprise's core operational and financial KPIs against a baseline agreed with the Board in the first 90 days. A complete executive team in place with documented succession coverage. Zero material compliance findings; a risk framework rated satisfactory or better by internal audit and relevant regulators. Demonstrably stronger standing with government stakeholders and investors, evidenced by expanded mandates, partnerships, or capital access.

Candidate Profile

Candidates must possess:

• 15+ years of executive leadership, including at least 5 years as CEO, Managing Director, or equivalent P&L owner in a regulated or nation-critical sector.
• Direct ownership of a large P&L with a verifiable record of growth, margin improvement, or turnaround.
• Experience reporting to and advising boards, government bodies, or sovereign investors.
• A demonstrated track record of building executive teams and leading enterprise-wide transformation.
• Deep working knowledge of the regulatory and governance environment applicable to sovereign-backed enterprises in Saudi Arabia or comparable jurisdictions.

Strongly preferred: Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC, with fluency in navigating government stakeholders and Vision 2030-aligned mandates. Bilingual Arabic/English proficiency is also preferred.