Head of Institutional Client Coverage MEA

State Street Corporation; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial services firm in the UAE is seeking an investment management professional to join their MEA Client Coverage team. The role involves managing institutional client relationships, focusing on Sovereign Wealth Funds and Central Banks, while leading a team and executing regional business strategies. Candidates should have a strong background in finance or economics, CFA or CAIA credentials, and at least 5 years of experience in sales and relationship management. This position requires strong communication skills and the ability to build long-term client relationships.

Benefits

Flexible work-life support

Paid volunteer days

Inclusive development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience dealing with EMEA clients.
• Minimum 5 years experience with Official Institutions clients.
• People management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and retain existing clients across the Middle East and Africa.
• Collaborate with regional management on business strategy.
• Deliver high quality relationship management.

Skills

Relationship management

Sales

Communication skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Academic background in finance, economics, or business

CFA/CAIA charter holder or candidate

Job description

We are looking for an accomplished investment management professional to join our dynamic, diverse SSIM Middle East & Africa (MEA) Client Coverage team. You will be a key member of the MEA team contributing to our client relationship management, sales and business retention efforts.

You will lead an ambitious and entrepreneurial team of client-facing professionals covering Institutional clients across the Gulf region and Africa, with a primary focus on Sovereign Wealth Funds, Central Banks, Development Funds, Pension Funds and other Government Related entities. Your personal focus will be on Tier 1 clients. Your product focus will span the full range of existing SSIM capabilities and you will also lead strategic projects and initiatives supporting our business growth and risk excellence efforts in the region.

You will need to collaborate with colleagues in investments, product, research, sales and marketing. The role requires energy, flexibility, curiosity and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

We want you to develop a deep understanding of the SSIM franchise in the region to anticipate the needs of our clients, manage business at risk and actively contribute to the region’s annual net new revenue targets. This role reports to the Head of Middle East and Africa and is part of the MEA regional leadership team and the SSIM Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

What we will ask you to do:

• Assume ownership and accountability for managing, growing and retaining an existing list of Institutional clients and prospects across the Middle East and Africa, as well as select names in Central Asia.
• Work with regional management on annual business strategy and commit to its successful execution.
• Work in partnership with the Head of our Saudi Arabia business on regional initiatives.
• Work in partnership with our Relationship Management team to ensure successful onboarding of new clients / new mandates.
• Take a leading role in retaining existing business by delivering high quality relationship management and anticipating our clients’ evolving needs.
• Focus your efforts on value-added products including quant and fundamental equities, EM debt, fixed income, cash and alternatives whilst defending our core indexing business.
• Lead a growing business development team and ensure they deliver on their individual KPI’s (in addition to yours) and contribute to the region’s Annualized Net New Revenue targets.
• Oversee RFP's, product information gathering and client-centric research origination/dissemination.
• Work on strategic initiatives supporting our regional growth efforts as directed by senior management.
• Harness the expertise of our internal specialists (e.g. portfolio management, portfolio strategy, research, Cash, ETFs, etc.) in order to deliver a consultative sale to clients.
• Monitor key product performance and liaise with portfolio strategists to ensure proactive engagement with our client base.
• Build strong, positive relationships with key internal stakeholders.
• Maintain the highest possible fiduciary standards and ensure compliance with all internal and external requirements.

Qualifications

• Academic background in finance, economics, business or a related field.
• CFA/CAIA charter holder or CFA/CAIA candidate.
• Minimum 5 years experience dealing with EMEA clients.
• Minimum 5 years experience dealing with Official Institutions clients.
• Minimum 5 years experience in sales and relationship management with top tier international firms.
• People management experience.
• Willing to travel extensively across the region and internationally when required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good understanding of regional regulatory frameworks.
• A good problem solver and trouble‑shooter, with the ability to identify and analyze issues with the creativity and energy to solve them.

Who you are:

• You are articulate, curious and entrepreneurial.
• You want to work in a diverse, multi‑cultural environment.
• You are motivated and keen to deliver the best possible result to clients.
• You have the patience and resilience to work through lengthy sales conversion cycles.
• You are passionate about long‑term relationship building and are focused on delivering solutions rather than products.
• You understand the importance of risk excellence when representing a global financial services firm in emerging markets.

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work‑life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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