Director – Strategic Investments
Finance
Dubai, UAE
Onsite
Full-time
Executive
15 years
Posted May 22, 2026
About the role
byteSpark.ai is conducting this search on behalf of a client. The successful candidate will be employed directly by the client organisation, not by byteSpark.ai. Further details about the employer are shared with candidates as they progress through the process. Our client is seeking a seasoned Director of Strategic Investments to lead the group's investment strategy and execution. The successful candidate will be the principal owner of the group's investment thesis and asset allocation framework, guiding capital deployment across a diverse portfolio including equities, fixed income, private equity, venture capital, real estate, and direct strategic stakes. This pivotal role involves making and sponsoring critical capital allocation decisions, serving on the investment committee, and setting portfolio-wide risk-return targets. The Director will shape the group's macroeconomic and market perspectives, ensuring the investment strategy is both robust and responsive. A key aspect of this position is managing relationships with senior leadership and stakeholders on all investment matters. The Director will also lead and mentor a team of investment professionals to achieve the group's financial objectives.
Requirements
- A minimum of 15 years of experience in investment management, with a significant track record in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience developing and owning a comprehensive investment thesis and strategic asset allocation framework.
- Extensive hands-on experience in portfolio construction and management across multiple asset classes (public and private).
- Demonstrated expertise in making final capital allocation decisions for a substantial and diverse portfolio.
- Strong background in financial modeling, risk management, and setting risk-return parameters.
- Experience serving on or chairing an investment committee, with a deep understanding of governance.
- Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field; CFA or MBA is highly preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of macroeconomic trends and their impact on global markets and various asset classes.
Desirable skills
- Experience within a family office, sovereign wealth fund, or a similar principal investment group.
- Direct experience managing strategic stakes in operating companies, particularly in sectors like banking.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to engage effectively with board members and shareholders.
- Established leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring investment professionals.
- A strong network of contacts within the global investment community.
Role details
- Department
- Finance
- Location
- Dubai, UAE
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Employment type
- Full-time
- Job level
- Executive
- Experience
- 15 years
- Industry
- Finance
- Sub-industry
- Venture Capital & Private Equity Principals
- Compensation
- AED 80K-100K/month + bonus structure
Frequently asked questions
No. byteSpark.ai is a recruitment agency based in Dubai. We are not hiring for ourselves. We are managing this search on behalf of a client organisation, and the role itself sits with that client, not with byteSpark.ai. byteSpark.ai handles the application, screening, and shortlisting stages, after which suitable candidates are introduced to the client directly.
The employer is a client of byteSpark.ai. The successful candidate will be employed by that client organisation, not by byteSpark.ai. The client is an established investment group based in Dubai. We do not disclose the client's name during the application and shortlisting stages, as a matter of standard confidentiality. Full details about the employer are shared with candidates as they progress through the process.
This role is best suited to candidates who have operated at a senior level within an investment group, holding company, or large family office. The most relevant experience includes owning a group's investment thesis and asset allocation framework, making or sponsoring capital allocation decisions, and serving on or chairing an investment committee. Candidates should have direct experience across multiple asset classes, leadership of multi-asset portfolio construction, and a track record of engaging with boards, chairmen, and shareholders on investment matters. The strongest candidates can demonstrate clear ownership of strategy and decisions, not only contribution to them.
No. This is a senior, strategy-level appointment. The focus is on setting investment direction, owning the asset allocation framework, sponsoring capital allocation decisions, and carrying the group's investment view at board and shareholder level. Hands-on modeling, due diligence, and transaction execution are supported by a dedicated team. Candidates whose experience is primarily analytical or execution-focused, without genuine ownership of strategy and capital decisions, may not be the best fit for this particular role.
For senior roles, the client requires employment history and professional background to be verified carefully before a final appointment. We ask for a reference from a previous employer only so that, if needed at the final stage, employment details can be confirmed in a proper and professional way. This is for employment verification purposes only.
No. Neither byteSpark.ai nor the client contacts referees during the application or shortlisting stage. Reference details are collected and stored carefully, and would only be used at the formal offer or final verification stage if required. We also ask for a previous employer reference, never your current employer, to protect your confidentiality.