Chief Executive Officer - Riyadh
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About the Role
**Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Riyadh Operations** * Executive Leadership – Institute Itech Middle East Full-time position On-site (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) * Initial onboarding period: 6 months on-site at Institute Itech headquarters, Milan, Italy Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval An NDA must be signed This is a founding executive role. The selected candidate will lead the establishment and development of Institute Itech's operatio
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Riyadh Operations
- Executive Leadership – Institute Itech Middle East Full-time position On-site (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
- Initial onboarding period: 6 months on-site at Institute Itech headquarters, Milan, Italy Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval An NDA must be signed
- This is a founding executive role.
- The selected candidate will lead the establishment and development of Institute Itech's operational presence in Saudi Arabia, including the future incorporation of a local entity.
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), and
Biocity™
(integrated biourban planning and smart city ecosystems).
Institute Itech is now entering a strategic phase of international expansion, with Saudi Arabia identified as a primary hub for capital attraction, institutional partnership, and long-term operational development aligned with Vision 2030.
About the Role
Institute Itech is seeking a visionary and entrepreneurially minded
Chief Executive Officer
to lead its future operations in Riyadh.
This is a rare founding opportunity: the selected candidate will not inherit an existing structure, but will build one — defining the operational model, establishing institutional relationships, attracting capital, and laying the foundation for a fully incorporated local entity.
Prior to assuming full operational responsibilities in Riyadh, the selected candidate will complete a
mandatory 6-month onboarding period at Institute Itech's headquarters in Milan
.
This phase is designed to ensure full alignment with the Institute's strategic vision, project portfolio, internal methodologies, and global leadership team before the Riyadh operations are formally launched.
The CEO will act as the senior representative of Institute Itech in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region, operating with a high degree of autonomy and in direct coordination with the Institute's executive leadership in Italy.
The ideal candidate combines deep knowledge of the Saudi and GCC business environment with executive-level experience in technology, innovation, or investment, and the relational capital necessary to open doors at the highest institutional and private levels.
Entity Formation & Operational Setup
- Lead the legal, regulatory, and operational groundwork for the incorporation of the Riyadh-based entity
- Define the organizational structure, governance model, and operational priorities of the new office
- Coordinate with legal, financial, and institutional advisors in both Saudi Arabia and Italy
Capital Attraction & Investor Relations
- Represent Institute Itech before sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, family offices, and strategic partners
- Develop and manage high-level investment relationships across the GCC ecosystem
- Structure and support investment opportunities in Institute Itech's project portfolio, including Memoria™, Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Polaris™, Balloon™, and Biocity™
- Drive capital attraction initiatives aligned with Vision 2030 investment priorities
Strategic Partnership Development
- Identify and cultivate partnerships with government bodies, innovation hubs, universities, and corporate groups in Saudi Arabia
- Position Institute Itech within the Kingdom's emerging deep-tech and sustainability ecosystem
- Represent the Institute at high-profile events, forums, and institutional meetings in the region
Executive Leadership & Reporting
- Build and lead the initial Riyadh team as operations scale
- Define and execute the local business development strategy in alignment with Institute Itech's global roadmap
- Report directly to Institute Itech's executive leadership and board
Requirements
- Minimum
- 10+ years of senior executive experience
- , with at least 5 years operating in Saudi Arabia or the GCC
- Proven track record in
- entity formation, business development, or operational scale-up
- in the region
- Strong existing network within Saudi Arabia's institutional, governmental, and investment ecosystem
- Deep understanding of
Vision 2030
- priorities and the Saudi regulatory and business environment
- Experience engaging with
- sovereign wealth funds, VC, and private equity
- structures
- Availability to relocate to
- Milan, Italy for an initial period of 6 months
- for onboarding at Institute Itech's headquarters (mandatory)
• Fluent English (mandatory)
- Fluent Arabic (strongly preferred)
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate in an early-stage, high-autonomy context
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience founding or co-founding a company or subsidiary in the GCC
- Background in technology, AI, environmental innovation, or urban development
- Established relationships with PIF, Mubadala, NEOM, or equivalent institutions
- Experience managing cross-border operations between the Middle East and Europe
- Exposure to international research institutes or innovation-driven organizations
Benefits Provided
- Founding executive role with direct strategic impact on Institute Itech's international trajectory
- Direct reporting line to Institute Itech's global leadership
- Mandate to build and lead a team from the ground up
- Access to a proprietary portfolio of deep-tech projects: Memoria™, Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Polaris™, Balloon™, and Biocity™
- Significant growth path as the Riyadh entity scales
- Reimbursement of approved travel and operational expenses, including the Milan onboarding period
Compensation
package to be defined based on candidate profile, experience, and negotiation.
The role includes a
base salary component
combined with
equity participation
in the future Riyadh entity, structured to reflect the founding nature of the position.
Details will be discussed confidentially during the selection process.
How to Apply
- Important: given the seniority and founding nature of this role, applications will be evaluated with particular attention to executive track record, regional network, and strategic vision.
- A detailed Letter of Presentation is strongly recommended.
- Please send:
- CV
- Letter of Presentation (strongly recommended) including: Your executive experience in Saudi Arabia and the GCC
- Your network and relationships relevant to Institute Itech's mission
- Your vision for building and leading Institute Itech's Riyadh operations
- E-mail: in.oiap2026@iite.eu
Subject
WE2026 Job Application [SA009100] – CEO Riyadh Operations – [Name Surname]
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