Chief Investment Officer CIO

Location: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai, UAE.

Regulatory Context: DFSA Category 3C Authorised Firm.

Reports to: SEO.

Function: Executive Leadership — Investment Management.

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The Chief Investment Officer will lead the investment function of a DFSA Category 3C. Firm, a license class covering asset management. The CIO is responsible for investment strategy, portfolio construction and the ongoing management of Client portfolios within agreed mandates and the Firm’s risk appetite. The role is confined to Managing Assets. This is a role subject to the DFSA's fit and proper assessment.

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Investment Strategy & Portfolio Management:

• Design and lead the firm's investment strategy across managed assets, aligned with client mandates, disclosed strategy documents and risk appetite;
• Oversee portfolio construction, asset allocation, rebalancing and performance across all discretionary mandates;
• Chair or serve on the Investment Committee;
• Approve investment decisions above defined thresholds;
• Own the investment strategies disclosed to Retail Clients;
• Mandate control and implementation.

Regulatory & Governance Oversight:

• Ensure investment activities remain within the scope of the firm's Category 3C license;
• Work closely with the Compliance, Risk Management, and Internal Audit functions to ensure investment operations meet DFSA requirements;
• Support the firm's capital adequacy monitoring, given Category 3C firms are subject to base capital and expenditure-based requirements rather than a full risk-weighted approach;
• Ensure timely reporting obligations are met, including annual returns and notifications if capital resources approach regulatory thresholds;

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Own investment reporting and communication to clients, ensuring accurate classification of clients (Retail, Professional, Market Counterparty) is reflected in service delivery;
• Represent the investment function to the SEO, Board, regulators, auditors, and, where required, the DFSA.

Team Leadership:

• Build and manage the investment team, including portfolio managers and analysts;
• Set investment policies, procedures, and internal controls governing the investment process.‍

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• 10+ years in investment management, or asset management, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role;
• Proven track record managing portfolios within a regulated financial services environment and experience with retail clients;
• Prior experience operating under DFSA, or a comparable regulator (FCA, FSRA, CMA, SEC), strongly preferred;
• Ability to satisfy the DFSA fitness and propriety standards;
• CFA, CAIA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred;
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, or related field; 
• MBA or equivalent advantageous.
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• Deep understanding of asset management regulatory frameworks (DFSA PIB, COB, GEN modules);
• Strong risk management and capital markets acumen;
• Ability to operate effectively alongside Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit functions, given DFSA's requirement that these remain independent of operational functions;
• Excellent stakeholder management, board-level communication, and leadership skills;
• High personal integrity, consistent with DFSA's "fit and proper" standard.