Chief Investment Officer (CIO) - Dubai

Main Purpose of the Role

The CIO will be responsible for building and institutionalising a world-class investment office, strengthening governance processes, enhancing revenue contribution, and positioning Arqaam Wealth as a regional thought leader in capital markets ahead of its long-term strategic growth and IPO ambitions.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Investment Strategy & Asset Allocation
• Define and oversee Arqaam Wealth strategic and tactical asset allocation frameworks
• Lead multi-asset portfolio construction across discretionary and advisory mandates
• Oversee model portfolios, structured solutions, and product architecture
• Drive & track alpha generation and risk-adjusted performance consistency
• Establish forward-looking macro and thematic positioning across sectors (banks, healthcare, insurance, sovereign credit, private markets, etc.)
• Investment Governance & Risk Oversight
• Institutionalise formal asset allocation, portfolio construction, and review processes
• Ensure alignment with DFSA, ADGM and KSA regulatory frameworks
• Work with Risk, Compliance and other frameworks designed by the COO
• Embed investment policy statements (IPS) across client segments
• Revenue & Commercial Contribution
• Drive revenue growth through differentiated investment positioning
• Partner with Corporate Finance and Capital Markets teams for synergistic value-add
• Contribute directly to client acquisition and retention
• Support structured product innovation and thematic product launches
• Enhance recurring revenue from discretionary and advisory mandates
• Leadership & Team Development
• Build and lead the Investment Office (asset allocation, research, portfolio construction)
• Develop high-performing investment professionals
• Institutionalise research standards and documentation processes
• Create succession and bench strength within the investment team
• Product Development & Platform Architecture
• Oversee fund selection, due diligence and platform construction
• Lead development of in-house model portfolios and multi-asset strategies
• Evaluate private markets, alternatives and impact strategies
• Contribute to new regulated vehicles (DIFC, ADGM, KSA structures)
• External Representation & Brand
• Represent Arqaam Wealth in media, conferences and institutional forums
• Publish quarterly investment outlooks and strategy notes
• Enhance Arqaam’s intellectual capital and market visibility
• Strengthen relationships with global asset managers and sovereign investors

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinker with commercial mindset
• Governance-oriented and process-driven
• High credibility with Boards and regulators
• Media-confident and client-facing
• Calm, disciplined and intellectually rigorous
• Ability to scale platforms regionally

Qualifications Knowledge & Experience

• Prior CIO experience within regulated wealth or asset management institutions
• Proven leadership of discretionary and advisory platforms
• Strong asset allocation and multi-asset expertise
• Demonstrated governance and Investment Committee leadership
• Regulatory approval experience (DFSA, ADGM, FCA, MAS or equivalent preferred)
• Track record of managing large AUM platforms
• Experience in Middle East markets strongly preferred
• Institutional credibility across sovereign, family office and UHNW segments
• Ideally with CFA