Chief Investment Officer

James Douglas Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A diversified global organization is looking for a highly skilled CIO to own the investment strategy and risk governance of the family office. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of investment experience and must demonstrate strong judgment and integrity. Responsibilities include implementing long-term investment strategies, managing asset allocations, and delivering transparent performance reporting. This role offers the opportunity to shape critical financial decisions as part of a team dedicated to impactful investing.

Qualifications

• 12–20+ years in investments (public & private markets).
• Strong judgment and long-term thinking.
• High integrity and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Define long-term investment philosophy aligned with family's objectives.
• Drive asset allocation across various investment types.
• Oversee portfolio performance and risk management.
• Deliver consolidated reporting to the family.

Skills

Investment strategy

Risk governance

Asset allocation

Financial analysis

Job description

Our client is a diversified global organization offering end-to-end solutions and operating across various sectors including education, agriculture, trading, engineering procurement and construction (EPC), energy, and mining. The group focuses on improving essential infrastructure in developing countries, by designing and managing projects such as roads, bridges, power plants, and water treatment facilities, actively engaging in renewable energy initiatives, and investing in solar power projects and wind energy farms.

They are looking to hire a highly skilled CIO who will own the investment strategy, capital allocation, and risk governance of the Family Office. The CIO is accountable for investment outcomes, irrespective of whether capital is deployed directly or via external advisors.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Define and implement the long-term investment philosophy aligned with the familys objectives, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance.
• Drive strategic and tactical asset allocation across public markets, private investments, alternatives, and structured strategies.
• Set return expectations, drawdown limits, and capital preservation thresholds.
• Oversee performance across all portfolios and entities.
• Review portfolio attribution, concentration, and liquidity risk.
• Enforce disciplined rebalancing, exits, and capital recycling.
• C. Advisor Oversight & Governance (Critical)
• Define mandates, benchmarks, risk limits, fee frameworks, and reporting standards for all advisors.
• Review advisor performance, positioning, and conduct on a periodically basis.
• Challenge advisor recommendations and assumptions; ensure independence of judgment.
• Act as the single point of accountability for advisor-managed capital.
• Escalate underperformance, risk breaches, or governance issues to the IC / Chairman, including recommendation for mandate revision or termination.
• D. Deal Evaluation & IC Interface
• Evaluate and approve direct and advisor-sourced investment proposals.
• Ensure all investments have a clear thesis, downside protection, and exit strategy.
• Present concise, decision-oriented IC notes and recommendations.
• Establish and enforce risk frameworks covering market, credit, liquidity, and counterparty risk.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, structures, and documentation standards across jurisdictions.
• F. Reporting & Transparency
• Deliver consolidated portfolio, performance, and risk reporting to the family and IC.
• Translate complex investment data into clear, actionable insights for decision-making.
• G. Authority & Accountability
• Final investment authority subject to IC approval and Chairman veto.
• Accountable performance, risk, and governance — use of advisors does not dilute responsibility.

Qualifications

• 12–20+ years in investments (public & private markets).
• Strong judgment, downside-focused, long-term thinker.
• High integrity, discretion, and comfort engaging directly with principals.