Strategic Partnership Manager

Institute Itech; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel reimbursement

Career progression to Head of Strategy

Job summary

Institute Itech is seeking a senior Strategic Partnership Manager to lead high‑value institutional partnerships across Saudi Arabia’s corporate and governmental ecosystem.

You will build durable relationships with senior decision‑makers, tailor value propositions to Vision 2030 priorities, and manage end‑to‑end negotiations across energy, infrastructure, culture, sports, and urban development sectors, coordinating with Milan and international teams.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of senior experience in strategic partnerships
• Deep, established network within Saudi Arabia's corporate, governmental, and institutional ecosystem
• Proven track record of originating, structuring, and closing high‑value institutional partnerships
• Strong understanding of Vision 2030 priorities
• Experience with large‑scale Saudi entities and mega‑event programs
• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Autonomy and strategic judgment in a complex institutional environment

Responsibilities

• Identify, approach, and engage senior decision-makers within Saudi Arabia’s leading corporate, institutional, and governmental organizations
• Develop tailored partnership strategies and value propositions aligned with Vision 2030 priorities
• Build and manage a pipeline of active partnership opportunities across multiple sectors and institutional categories
• Structure, negotiate, and close partnership agreements that deliver long‑term strategic value for Institute Itech
• Coordinate with Milan and international teams to align Saudi initiatives with the global roadmap
• Produce regular strategic updates and reports for executive leadership

Skills

Senior experience

Established network

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Autonomy

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Strategic Alliances & Institutional Development – Institute Itech

• Full-time position
• On-site (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
• Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval
• An NDA must be signed

This position may evolve into Head of Strategic Partnerships – MENA or Regional Director – Saudi Arabia, depending on performance and ability to secure high-value institutional partnerships.

About Institute Itech:

Institute Itech is a private research, development and technological innovation institute based in Italy with an international vision. It was created to transform scientific knowledge, advanced engineering and emerging technologies into concrete solutions for the environment, health, data intelligence, artificial intelligence, urban systems and technological infrastructure.

The company is built on a multidisciplinary vision structured around six pillars: Education, Technology, Social, Nature, Research and Urban. Through these areas, Institute Itech develops high-impact projects capable of improving quality of life, making cities more sustainable and creating new models of scientific, industrial and social progress.

Its flagship projects include:

• Memoria – AI-based neuroimaging and cognitive data intelligence
• Oxyleaf – environmental monitoring and air quality technologies
• Terra – advanced soil and ecological remediation systems
• Polaris – strategic data infrastructure and positioning systems
• Balloon – high-altitude sensing and urban climate platforms
• Biocity – integrated biourban planning and smart city ecosystems

Institute Itech is actively expanding its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a strategic focus on building long‑term institutional partnerships with the country’s most prominent corporate, cultural, and infrastructure entities — aligned with the ambitions and priorities of Vision 2030.

About the Role:

Institute Itech is seeking a senior, well‑connected, and strategically minded Strategic Partnership Manager to lead the development and management of high-level institutional partnerships across Saudi Arabia’s corporate and governmental ecosystem.

The role is focused on building deep, durable relationships with the Kingdom’s most influential organizations and landmark initiatives — including major corporate entities such as Saudi Aramco, cultural and heritage projects such as Diriyah, flagship urban developments such as NEOM, international mega‑events such as Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034, sovereign development bodies, large‑scale sports and entertainment infrastructure, and other institutions and programs shaping Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Vision 2030.

The selected candidate will serve as Institute Itech’s primary relationship architect in the Kingdom — identifying partnership opportunities, developing tailored value propositions, navigating complex institutional environments, and structuring agreements that create mutual long‑term value for Institute Itech and its Saudi partners.

The ideal candidate is a senior professional with an existing network at the highest levels of Saudi Arabia’s corporate and institutional landscape, a deep understanding of the Kingdom’s strategic priorities, and a proven track record of originating and closing complex, high‑value partnerships.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Partnership Development

• Identify, approach, and engage senior decision‑makers within Saudi Arabia’s leading corporate, institutional, and governmental organizations
• Develop tailored partnership strategies and value propositions aligned with each target organization’s strategic objectives and Vision 2030 priorities
• Build and manage a pipeline of active partnership opportunities across multiple sectors and institutional categories
• Structure, negotiate, and close partnership agreements that deliver long‑term strategic value for Institute Itech

Key Account & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain deep, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across target organizations including energy, infrastructure, culture, sports, entertainment, and urban development sectors
• Act as the primary point of contact and relationship owner for Institute Itech’s most strategic Saudi partnerships
• Ensure consistent, high‑quality engagement with partners at the executive and institutional level
• Anticipate partner needs and proactively identify opportunities to deepen and expand existing relationships
• Monitor and analyse the Saudi Arabian partnership and institutional landscape, identifying emerging opportunities aligned with Institute Itech’s project portfolio
• Provide executive leadership with regular intelligence on Vision 2030 developments, mega‑event programs, sector priorities, and institutional dynamics
• Position Institute Itech strategically within Saudi Arabia’s innovation, sustainability, and urban development ecosystem
• Represent Institute Itech at high‑profile forums, conferences, and institutional events across the Kingdom

Cross‑Border Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Institute Itech’s leadership in Milan and its international teams across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
• Ensure alignment between Saudi partnership activities and the Institute’s global strategic roadmap
• Support the localization of Institute Itech’s project offerings to meet the specific requirements and priorities of Saudi partners
• Facilitate cross‑border collaboration between Saudi institutional partners and Institute Itech’s technical and research teams

Partnership Structuring & Reporting

• Lead the structuring and documentation of partnership frameworks, MoUs, and formal agreements
• Maintain an organized pipeline and reporting system for all active and prospective partnerships
• Produce regular strategic updates and partnership reports for Institute Itech’s executive leadership
• Coordinate with legal and financial teams on partnership agreement review and compliance

Requirements

• Minimum 8–10 years of senior experience in strategic partnerships, business development, institutional relations, or corporate alliances
• Deep, established network within Saudi Arabia’s corporate, governmental, and institutional ecosystem — with demonstrable relationships at senior and executive level
• Proven track record of originating, structuring, and closing high‑value institutional partnerships with major Saudi or GCC organizations
• Strong understanding of Vision 2030 priorities, Saudi Arabia’s institutional landscape, and the Kingdom’s strategic development agenda
• Experience engaging with large‑scale Saudi entities and mega‑event programs across energy, infrastructure, culture, sports, entertainment, or urban development sectors
• Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills
• Ability to operate with autonomy and strategic judgment in a complex institutional environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct professional experience working with or alongside entities and initiatives such as Saudi Aramco, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, NEOM, Expo 2030 Riyadh, FIFA World Cup 2034 organizing bodies, Royal Commission for Riyadh City, PIF portfolio companies, or equivalent flagship institutions and mega‑event programs
• Background in technology, sustainability, environmental innovation, AI, or urban development sectors
• Experience structuring MoUs, joint ventures, or strategic collaboration frameworks with major institutional partners
• Familiarity with cross‑border partnership structures between the GCC and European organizations
• Additional language skills (Italian, Mandarin, or French considered an asset)
• Experience representing international organizations within the Saudi institutional context

Benefits Provided

• Senior leadership role at the forefront of Institute Itech’s most strategically significant expansion market
• Direct collaboration with Institute Itech’s founding leadership and international executive team
• Mandate to build and own the highest‑value partnership relationships in the Kingdom
• Access to a proprietary portfolio of deep‑tech projects directly relevant to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 priorities: Memoria, Oxyleaf, Terra, Polaris, Balloon, and Biocity
• Growth path toward Head of Strategic Partnerships – MENA or Regional Director – Saudi Arabia
• Reimbursement of all approved travel and institutional representation expenses

Compensation

Compensation package to be defined based on candidate profile, seniority, and network strength.

The role includes a base salary component and performance‑based incentives tied to partnership milestones and strategic outcomes achieved.

All compensation details will be discussed confidentially during the selection process.