Jobs

CAIA is a global professional association with centralized commercial authority in the United States and regional entities operating under service and cost‑plus arrangements. As CAIA advances its Vision 2035 strategy, the organization requires a Global Controller who can operate a lean, disciplined, and internationally credible finance function that both protects the institution and enables risk-aware growth.

The Global Controller will lead global accounting, financial control, intercompany compliance, cash and treasury operations, and finance process design. In the near term, the Controller will also partner closely with the COO on budgeting, forecasting, and planning until a dedicated FP&A capability is established.

This role requires strong technical judgment, global operating experience, and the ability to collaborate constructively with business leaders—helping them solve problems within CAIA’s legal, tax, and governance framework.

Key Outcomes (What Success Looks Like)

• Finance viewed as a trusted partner that enables solutions within constraints
• A scalable finance operating model that supports Vision 2035 without linear headcount growth
• Clear, consistently enforced financial guardrails understood by senior leaders
• Strong liquidity management and cash visibility supporting global operations
• Predictable, high‑confidence close and reporting across all entities
• Effective management of tax and reporting compliance requirements

1. Global Accounting, Close & Reporting
   • Own the monthly/quarterly/year-end close across all entities; establish close calendar, checklist discipline, and quality controls
   • Deliver consolidated financial and management reporting (entity and regional/product views)
   • Ensure consistent accounting policies, documentation, and reconciliations
   • Maintain a clean chart of accounts and reporting structure aligned to strategic needs
2. Cash and Treasury Operations
   • Own global cash management, liquidity planning, and visibility across entities
   • Monitor cash balances, timing of intercompany settlements, and funding needs
   • Ensure appropriate controls over banking relationships, signatories, and payments
   • Support and implement decisions on working capital, reserves, and approved investment strategy, in partnership with the COO, CEO, and Board.
   • Partner with COO and CEO on cash implications of strategic initiatives and regional expansion
3. Internal Controls, Governance & Compliance
   • Design and enforce financial controls appropriate for a lean global organization
   • Maintain Delegation of Authority (DoA) and approval workflows; ensure adherence across regions
   • Own revenue recognition discipline and seller-of-record controls in partnership with Legal/Operations
   • Lead audit planning, coordination, and remediation; maintain continuous audit readiness
   • Oversee all tax and payroll compliance coordination and support transfer pricing documentation and intercompany policies
4. Intercompany / Cost-Plus Model Discipline
   • Operate and document intercompany service arrangements (cost allocations, recharges, evidence trails)
   • Establish repeatable processes for cost allocations and regional expense treatment
   • Educate regional leaders on allowable vs restricted activities and escalation pathways
   • Ensure behavior matches agreements—recognizing that auditors/tax authorities test actions
5. Budgeting, Forecasting, and FP&A Partnership (Interim)
   • In the first 12–18 months, the Controller will co‑own planning and analysis with the COO; longer‑term, day‑to‑day FP&A execution will transition to a dedicated role reporting to the Controller with a dotted‑line to the COO
   • Establish foundational annual financial planning / budgeting processes and monthly performance reporting that can scale
   • Support the COO in preparation of senior leadership and board materials
6. Finance Operations & Systems (Lean, Scalable Design)
   • Partner with IT to optimize finance technology capabilities, integrations, and controls. (Currently Sage Intacct, Fonteva NetForum, and Emburse)
   • Select and implement a budgeting/forecasting tool appropriate for CAIA's size and complexity
   • Reduce manual work through workflow redesign, automation, and improved master data discipline
7. Leadership Partnership
   • Serve as finance authority who can work with regional staff and senior leadership to solve business challenges within operating constraints.
   • This role requires the judgment to say ‘no’ when necessary, and the creativity to find compliant, practical solutions when objectives and constraints are in tension.
   • Partner with the COO on strategic finance and operating-model evolution by providing clean facts, scenarios, and constraints
8. Team & Management Scope
   • Leads and develops a lean finance team currently composed of three.
   • Responsible for role redesign and overall capability development  

Critical Competencies (Non-Negotiable)

• Control backbone: Within a risk-aware service mindset, able to determine solutions while also maintaining compliance requirements
• Operational design mindset: eliminates or automates manual workflows whenever possible rather than staffing around it
• Exceptional executive communication: can translate accounting complexity into governance clarity and clear business requirements to support operations
• Capable people leader: Able to hire, develop, motivate, and support a lean accounting team with global responsibilities.
• Global cultural fluency: firm while demonstrating cultural sensitivity
• Pragmatic technologist: improves systems to enable discipline and drive efficiency

CAIA is an equal opportunity employer.

About CAIA Association

The CAIA Association, a global professional body, pioneers a new era in investment management. At the forefront of the shifting of alternative investment asset classes from 'alternative' to mainstream, CAIA embraces diverse expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge essential for responsible capital allocation and client stewardship. A Member-driven organization representing professionals in more than 100 countries, the organization seeks to prepare investors for a dynamic future, disrupting traditions, creating opportunities, and fostering long-term sustainability. To learn more about the CAIA Association and how to become part of a professional network that is shaping the future of investing, please visit https://caia.org/.

This position is open to Saudi nationals only
 

Lead CAIA’s strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia by establishing the Kingdom’s premier alternative investment professional community. This is a ground-up, entrepreneurial role requiring someone who can build from scratch — laying the operational foundations of CAIA’s local presence while simultaneously driving membership growth, institutional relationships, and revenue. The Country Head will lead the establishment of CAIA’s local Saudi entity, strengthen the Saudi Chapter, forge partnerships with business schools, regulators and industry bodies, cultivate relationships with the LP/GP ecosystem, and position CAIA as a leading voice in the Kingdom’s investment landscape. The role serves as primary liaison with our strategic partner, the Financial Academy.

Local Entity Establishment & Strategic Leadership

• Lead the establishment and operationalisation of CAIA’s local Saudi entity, including coordinating with legal, compliance and HQ teams on registration, governance and ongoing requirements.
• Act as the senior in-country representative, taking full ownership of CAIA’s on-the-ground presence from day one.
• Build the operational infrastructure needed to support a growing local team and member base.
• Serve as primary liaison with the Financial Academy, developing joint programmes and ensuring seamless coordination between CAIA global operations and the local entity.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations

• Build strategic relationships with CMA, SAMA, PIF and key regulatory bodies, positioning CAIA as a trusted partner in advancing professional standards; participate in regulatory forums and industry working groups.
• Establish partnerships with leading Saudi universities, integrating CAIA into finance programmes and organising on-campus events and student engagement initiatives.
• Forge alliances with industry associations and professional bodies across the Kingdom to broaden CAIA’s reach and embed the designation within the Saudi investment community.
• Cultivate relationships with SWFs, pension funds, family offices and institutional investors; build a network within the PE, VC, real estate and infrastructure GP community.
• Organise exclusive LP/GP forums, roundtables and co-branded events that deliver reciprocal member value.
• Collaborate on research initiatives focused on Saudi alternative investments.

Sponsorship Strategy & Revenue Development

• Own and lead CAIA’s Saudi Arabia sponsorship programme end-to-end, from pipeline development to contract closure and post-event reporting.
• Design bespoke, high-value sponsorship packages for CAIA events, research publications, digital platforms and Chapter activations in the Kingdom; negotiate multi-year agreements with major institutional and corporate partners.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of corporate sponsors — including SWFs, financial institutions and corporates — tracking engagement and conversion metrics.
• Lead B2B sales efforts for CAIA.nxt and the CAIA Charter, targeting HR and L&D leaders, investment firms and institutional training programmes; drive firm-level membership and study group sponsorship agreements.
• Develop and execute a consultative sales approach tailored to Saudi investment firms and the local regulatory environment; collaborate with global teams to localise propositions for GCC audiences.
• Track sales performance and sponsorship revenue against KPIs, providing regular forecasting to the Managing Director, EMEA; identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities across CAIA’s product suite, including microcredentials.

Chapter Development & Events

• Grow the CAIA Saudi Arabia Chapter with robust governance and engagement programmes; align programming with Vision 2030 priorities and Kingdom investment themes.
• Organise CAIA Days, networking events, thought leadership forums and support the organisation of AltsME.
• Co-develop event concepts that serve both member engagement and sponsorship objectives; support the planning and execution of flagship Saudi and GCC events, including speaker sourcing and partner coordination.
• Work closely with the EMEA marketing team to align outreach with regional campaigns and thought leadership content; identify opportunities to generate earned media and press coverage.

Market Presence & Content

• Launch the Islamic Finance micro-credential in the Saudi market; partner with Sharia scholars and Islamic finance experts to develop relevant content and programming.
• Commission research on the Saudi alternative investment landscape to strengthen CAIA’s intellectual leadership in the region.
• Represent CAIA at major industry events; secure high-visibility speaking opportunities and panel moderations to build consistent brand presence across the Kingdom.

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, or Business; CFA/CAIA strongly preferred.
• 8–10 years in financial services with 5+ years based in Saudi Arabia.
• Expertise in alternative investments and institutional asset management.
• Proven track record in business development, institutional sales, sponsorship development and strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of Islamic finance and the Saudi regulatory environment.
• Experience establishing or operating local entities in Saudi Arabia preferred.
• Established Saudi LP/GP network preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership and entrepreneurial execution — comfortable building from the ground up.
• Exceptional commercial acumen; a proven closer with the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder sales and sponsorship processes.
• C-suite relationship building, stakeholder management and consultative partnership closure.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; confident presenter and public speaker.
• Fluent in English and Arabic (written and verbal).
• Cultural intelligence and deep understanding of Saudi business protocols.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and data-driven pipeline management.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and results-driven, with a track record of building from the ground up.
• Culturally attuned to the Saudi and Gulf business environment.
• Collaborative team player comfortable working across global and regional teams.
• Willing to travel across the GCC and internationally as required.
• Committed to CAIA’s mission of advancing professional standards in alternative investment.

Candidates should submit a comprehensive CV and a cover letter addressing specific experience in the Saudi market, institutional sales, sponsorship development and alternative investments. 

CAIA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with Saudi law. We welcome applications from persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment.

About CAIA Association

The CAIA Association, a global professional body, pioneers a new era in investment management. At the forefront of the shifting of alternative investment asset classes from 'alternative' to mainstream, CAIA embraces diverse expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge essential for responsible capital allocation and client stewardship. A Member-driven organization representing professionals in more than 100 countries, the organization seeks to prepare investors for a dynamic future, disrupting traditions, creating opportunities, and fostering long-term sustainability. To learn more about the CAIA Association and how to become part of a professional network that is shaping the future of investing, please visit https://caia.org/.

The Director of Industry Relations EMEA is a senior role responsible for driving CAIA's institutional strategy across the region. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, EMEA, this person will own the full spectrum of industry relationships while leading sponsorship strategy, CAIA.nxt and CAIA Charter B2B sales.

This is a high-impact role for a commercially minded leader who combines deep knowledge of the European and UK institutional investment landscape with the ability to build lasting partnerships and generate revenue. The Director will act as a trusted deputy to the Managing Director for all industry relations related matters.

Industry Outreach & Strategic Relationship Management

• Lead CAIA's institutional engagement strategy across EMEA, targeting banks, asset managers, insurance companies, pension funds, family offices, and industry associations.
• Represent CAIA at CAIA Chapter events, conferences and industry gatherings, enhancing content, branding and visibility.
• Identify and develop new strategic partnerships with industry bodies, regulators and professional networks.
• Collaborate with the global team to translate EMEA market intelligence into product and content strategy.
• Travel as required across EMEA for business development and relationship-building (Approximately 30% travel).

Sponsorship Strategy & Revenue Development

• Own and lead CAIA's EMEA sponsorship programme end-to-end, from pipeline development to contract closure and post-event reporting.
• Design bespoke, high-value sponsorship packages for CAIA events, research publications, digital platforms  and Chapter activations.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of corporate sponsors, tracking engagement and conversion metrics.
• Negotiate multi-year sponsorship agreements with major institutional and corporate partners.
• Collaborate with marketing to deliver exceptional sponsor value through brand exposure, thought leadership integration, and networking access.
• Set and meet annual sponsorship revenue targets in partnership with the Managing Director.

CAIA.nxt & CAIA Charter – B2B Sales

• Lead B2B sales efforts for CAIA.nxt, targeting HR and L&D leaders, investment firms, and institutional training programmes across EMEA.
• Drive institutional adoption of the CAIA Charter through employer partnership programmes, study group sponsorships, and firm-level membership agreements.
• Develop and execute a consultative sales approach tailored to the needs of EMEA investment firms.
• Collaborate with the global membership and product teams to localise CAIA.nxt propositions for EMEA audiences.
• Track sales performance against KPIs and provide regular forecasting to the Managing Director.
• Identify cross-sell, cross-regional and upsell opportunities across CAIA's product suite, including microcredentials.

Events & Marketing Collaboration

• Work closely with the EMEA marketing team to align industry outreach with regional campaigns and thought leadership content.
• Co-develop event concepts that serve both member engagement and sponsorship objectives.
• Support the planning and execution of flagship EMEA events, including speaker sourcing and partner coordination.
• Identify opportunities to generate earned media and press coverage through partnerships and events.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field; Master's degree preferred. CFA or CAIA designation a strong advantage.
• 8–12 years of experience in financial services, with a strong track record in business development, institutional sales, or senior relationship management.
• Demonstrated experience in sponsorship development and/or B2B sales within an investment, professional association, or financial media context.
• Deep knowledge of the EMEA institutional investment landscape and alternative asset classes.
• Experience operating at a senior level across multiple European markets.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional commercial acumen, a proven closer with the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder sales processes.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; confident presenter and public speaker.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect market dynamics to organisational priorities.
• Strong project management and prioritisation skills in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Proficiency in English required; additional European languages (French, German) a strong advantage.
• Comfortable with CRM systems and data-driven pipeline management.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial self-starter who takes ownership and drives outcomes without waiting to be directed.
• Culturally intelligent and at ease operating across diverse European markets.
• Collaborative team player who acts as a natural deputy and elevates those around them.
• Willing to travel and work flexibly to meet the demands of a senior regional role.
• Aligned with CAIA's mission to advance the highest professional standards in alternative investment.

Candidates should submit a comprehensive CV highlighting senior business development and/or sponsorship experience, and a cover letter addressing specific experience in institutional sales and EMEA market coverage. CAIA is an equal opportunity employer.

CAIA is an equal opportunity employer, compliant with Swiss and UK employment standards. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion.

About CAIA Association

The CAIA Association, a global professional body, pioneers a new era in investment management. At the forefront of the shifting of alternative investment asset classes from 'alternative' to mainstream, CAIA embraces diverse expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge essential for responsible capital allocation and client stewardship. A Member-driven organization representing professionals in more than 100 countries, the organization seeks to prepare investors for a dynamic future, disrupting traditions, creating opportunities, and fostering long-term sustainability. To learn more about the CAIA Association and how to become part of a professional network that is shaping the future of investing, please visit https://caia.org/.