Chief Investment Officer (CIO)

About the role

The Chief Investment Officer will head the investment function of a DFSA Category 3C authorised firm operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Reporting to the Senior Executive Officer, the CIO is responsible for defining and executing the firm’s investment strategy, overseeing portfolio construction, and ensuring alignment with client mandates and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Design and lead the firm’s investment strategy across all managed assets, ensuring compliance with disclosed strategy documents and the firm’s risk appetite.
• Oversee portfolio construction, asset allocation, rebalancing and performance monitoring for discretionary mandates.
• Chair or sit on the Investment Committee and approve investment decisions that exceed defined thresholds.
• Maintain regulatory and governance oversight, working closely with Compliance, Risk Management and Internal Audit to meet DFSA requirements and capital adequacy monitoring.
• Produce investment reporting and communications for retail, professional and market‑counterparty clients.
• Represent the investment function to the board, regulators, auditors and the DFSA.
• Build, lead and develop the investment team, establishing policies, procedures and internal controls.

Required profile

• 10+ years of experience in investment or asset management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record managing portfolios within a regulated financial services environment, preferably with retail clients.
• Experience operating under the DFSA or a comparable regulator (FCA, FSRA, CMA, SEC) is strongly preferred.
• Ability to satisfy DFSA fitness‑and‑proper assessments.

Required skills