MEA Research & Thought Leadership Associate Manager

Accenture Middle East; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive rewards

Mentoring by senior colleagues

Job summary

Accenture Middle East is seeking a Research Associate Manager to join Accenture Research in the MEA region. You will support the regional research agenda, deliver data-driven insights, and connect macro trends to client-ready recommendations.

The role requires strong quantitative skills, fluency in Arabic and English, and experience with AI tools to enhance research workflows. You will engage with regional leadership and contribute to thought leadership and market intelligence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in economics, business, political science, international relations, engineering or related field.
• MBA or postgraduate degree is a plus.
• 6+ years of business experience, preferably in consulting, think tanks, financial institutions, research environments or a relevant industry.

Responsibilities

• Support development of thought-provoking insights through quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Draw on GCC and MEA data sources to explore key business questions.
• Analyze datasets using statistical techniques and data-visualization tools; build and update models for client-ready outputs.
• Develop compelling research narratives with business storylines for senior audiences.
• Craft high-quality outputs (slides, visualizations, summaries) for clients and internal teams.
• Support business development by applying data products and thought leadership to opportunities.
• Leverage AI and Generative AI to enhance workflows and surface novel insights.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Data visualization

PowerPoint

Excel

AI/Generative AI

Arabic & English languages

Executive presentation

Research methods

Storytelling

Strategic frameworks

Education

Bachelor's degree in economics, business, political science, international relations, engineering or related field

MBA or postgraduate degree (optional)

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

About Accenture

Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 786,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.

About Accenture

Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 786,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.

Job Summary

You will be part of Accenture Research, supporting the Middle East & Africa (MEA) Research and Thought Leadership agenda. Working alongside the MEA research leadership, the Research Associate Manager will help deliver the region's research strategy and strengthen Accenture's position as a trusted source of insight across industries in the region.

The candidate should be a strong researcher with a keen interest in the MEA economic and technology landscape and the ability to connect macro trends (technological, economic, social, regulatory and geopolitical) to actionable insight for clients. Strong quantitative and data-analytics capabilities are required, alongside fluent use of AI and Generative AI tools to enhance research workflows. Familiarity with GCC national programs and institutional sources (e.g. national vision plans, national AI authorities and national clouds) is a strong advantage.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the development of thought-provoking insights through quantitative and qualitative research methods, helping sustain a continuous flow of high-quality research and market-facing insight.
• Draw on traditional and innovative data sources, including GCC government, regional and global economic and technology sources, to explore key business questions in a logical, structured way.
• Analyze datasets and interpret results using statistical techniques and data-visualization tools; build and update models to produce client-ready outputs.
• Develop compelling research narratives and clear business storylines alongside research and industry leads.
• Craft high-quality outputs (slides, visualizations and written summaries) tailored to senior client and internal audiences.
• Support business development by helping account teams apply our data products and thought leadership to engage clients and shape new opportunities.
• Leverage AI and Generative AI to enhance ways of working, surface novel insights and deliver outputs in non-traditional ways. Experience and skills:
• Strong understanding of the MEA economic, business and technology landscape, and of the region's national transformation programs and priorities.
• Ability to use various research techniques such as market and competitive analysis, policy analysis, company analysis, strategic frameworks and interview-based research.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret, visualize and synthesize complex data; comfort with statistical principles.
• Familiarity with AI and Generative AI tools and the ability to apply them responsibly in a research context.
• Storytelling paired with strong analytical thinking and the ability to write in a clear, concise and compelling way.
• Strong executive presentation skills, with proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel and data visualization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships locally.
• Strong professional qualities: client focus, integrity, resilience and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Essential Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree, preferably in economics, business, political science, international relations, engineering or a related field.
• A postgraduate degree (MBA, public policy, economics or equivalent) is a plus.
• Work experience: 6+ years of business experience, preferably in consulting, think tanks, financial institutions, research environments or a relevant industry, or demonstrated equivalent skill.
• Languages: Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken) is required.

Preferable Qualifications

• Experience within a consulting, research, or strategy environment.
• Knowledge of GCC national transformation programs and the MEA business landscape.
• Experience with AI/Generative AI tools and data visualization platforms.
• Exposure to thought leadership, market research, and industry analysis.
• Proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, or similar analytics tools.

Why join us?

• We offer a transparent, fast paced career progression, with a focus on your strengths and continuous coaching from senior colleagues
• You will benefit from working alongside Accenture experts who are solving some of the biggest industry challenges with innovative thinking and pioneering tools
• Flexible work arrangements and a range of benefits including competitive rewards
• You will have access to state-of-the-art technology that will give you the opportunity to deepen your existing skills even as you help create the latest business trends
• You will also have opportunities to make a difference to the communities in which we work and live

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