Managing Director, Center of Excellence in Autism

Khibraty; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Joint Managing Director for a new Center of Excellence in Autism Care. This role involves developing strategies, overseeing operations, and collaborating with senior leadership to enhance autism care services. The ideal candidate will have a doctoral degree and extensive experience in healthcare leadership and autism care. Located in Riyadh, this full-time position offers a unique opportunity to transform autism treatment in the region.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in establishing and leading autism care centers or multi-site programs.
• Strong research background in autism or related neurodevelopmental disorders.
• At least 15 years of leadership experience in healthcare operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for autism care excellence.
• Evaluate service performance across the autism care network.
• Establish partnerships with leading autism care institutions.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Team-building

Strategic initiative execution

Education

Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or M.D.)

Job description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

This opportunity is within one of Saudi Arabia’s largest healthcare providers, operating a network of 26 hospitals and numerous medical service centers. The healthcare system provides comprehensive services to active‑duty personnel, retirees, their families, and referred civilians. In recent years, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a national health priority. In response, the organization is launching a Center of Excellence in Autism Care (Autism CoE) aimed at transforming the landscape of autism treatment and support across the network. The Center will focus on capability development, service innovation, and improving the overall quality of life for individuals with autism. The Autism CoE will: Serve as the national leader in autism care and act as the central hub of expertise within the organization’s ecosystem, Lead the development and oversight of clinical care models, policies, and standardized treatment pathways, Deliver specialized multidisciplinary services, individualized interventions, life skills training, school transition support, and family engagement programs, Oversee workforce development through structured training, certification, and fellowship programs, Drive the development of infrastructure and digital health capabilities, Promote research and innovation in autism care and related digital technologies, Standardize autism data collection, analytics, and reporting, Coordinate and integrate autism‑related services across facilities and departments.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a rare opportunity for a senior healthcare leader to co‑found a transformative institution dedicated to autism care in Saudi Arabia. The selected candidate will serve as Joint Managing Director of the Autism CoE and as a key advisor to senior leadership on autism‑related healthcare strategies. They will work closely with a Saudi national counterpart to oversee both the establishment and long‑term operations of the Center. Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Contract Type: Full‑time preferred.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to realize the vision of excellence in autism care
• Evaluating current capabilities and enhancing overall service performance across the autism care network
• Conducting a strategic review of clinical services, research, outreach, and communication initiatives
• Leading the transformation of existing departments to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize the patient and family experience
• Establishing partnerships with leading autism care and research institutions globally
• Defining and monitoring performance indicators to ensure continuous improvement
• Collaborating with senior leadership to integrate autism‑related operations into the broader healthcare system

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Have a proven track record in establishing and leading autism care centers or multi‑site programs of excellence
• Hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or M.D.) in a relevant field such as clinical psychology or neuroscience, with specialized training in autism spectrum disorder
• Demonstrate a strong research background in autism or related neurodevelopmental disorders
• Bring at least 15 years of leadership experience in healthcare operations, with a minimum of 8 years in senior roles
• Possess deep knowledge of care models, healthcare finance, and regulatory environments
• Have a successful history of developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive improved outcomes and operational efficiency
• Exhibit excellent leadership, communication, and team‑building skills
• Be experienced in managing complex organizations with a data‑driven and outcomes‑focused approach
• Be committed to building local leadership capabilities through active coaching and mentorship