Chief Executive Officer - Riyadh

Role overview

Institute Itech is hiring a founding Chief Executive Officer to establish and grow its Riyadh operations in Saudi Arabia. This is a senior, on-site leadership position in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with responsibility for building the local structure from the ground up and preparing for the future incorporation of a Saudi entity.

The selected leader will initially complete a mandatory 6-month onboarding assignment at Institute Itech’s headquarters in Milan, Italy. During this period, travel and meeting-related expenses will be reimbursed subject to approval, and a non-disclosure agreement must be signed.

About Institute Itech

Institute Itech is a private research, development, and technology innovation institute headquartered in Italy, with an international outlook. Its mission is to turn scientific knowledge, advanced engineering, and emerging technologies into practical solutions for environmental protection, health, data intelligence, artificial intelligence, urban systems, and technological infrastructure.

The organization is built around six interconnected pillars: Education, Technology, Social, Nature, Research, and Urban. Through these pillars, it develops high-impact initiatives aimed at improving quality of life, supporting sustainable cities, and creating new models of scientific, industrial, and social progress.

Its key projects include Memoria™, Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Polaris™, Balloon™, and Biocity™. Institute Itech is now entering an international expansion phase, with Saudi Arabia positioned as a strategic base for capital attraction, institutional partnerships, and long-term growth aligned with Vision 2030.

What the role involves

The CEO will serve as the senior representative for Institute Itech in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region, working with significant autonomy while staying closely aligned with the executive team in Italy. The role requires a leader who can combine strategic thinking, entrepreneurial drive, and strong regional relationships to open doors at institutional and private levels.

Responsibilities

• Set up the legal, regulatory, and operational foundations needed to create the Riyadh-based entity.
• Design the office structure, governance framework, and initial operating priorities.
• Work with legal, financial, and institutional advisors across Saudi Arabia and Italy.
• Represent Institute Itech to sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, family offices, and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain senior investment relationships throughout the GCC.
• Support and structure investment opportunities across the project portfolio, including Memoria™, Oxyleaf™, Terra™, Polaris™, Balloon™, and Biocity™.
• Advance capital attraction efforts in line with Vision 2030 priorities.
• Develop partnerships with government bodies, innovation ecosystems, universities, and corporate organizations in Saudi Arabia.
• Position the institute within the Kingdom’s deep-tech and sustainability landscape.
• Represent the organization at major events, forums, and institutional meetings in the region.
• Recruit and lead the initial Riyadh team as the operation expands.
• Define and execute the local business development plan in line with the global strategy.
• Report directly to the executive leadership and board of Institute Itech.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of senior executive experience, including a minimum of 5 years working in Saudi Arabia or the GCC.
• Demonstrated success in entity creation, business development, or regional scale-up.
• A strong existing network across Saudi institutional, government, and investment circles.
• Solid understanding of Vision 2030 and the Saudi regulatory and commercial environment.
• Experience working with sovereign wealth funds, venture capital, and private equity structures.
• Willingness to relocate to Milan, Italy for a mandatory 6-month onboarding period.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Arabic fluency is strongly preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation abilities.
• An entrepreneurial approach and the ability to work with high autonomy in an early-stage setting.
• Ability to lead cross-border coordination between Saudi Arabia and Italy.

Preferred background

• Experience founding or co-founding a business or subsidiary in the GCC.
• Professional background in technology, artificial intelligence, environmental innovation, or urban development.
• Existing relationships with organizations such as PIF, Mubadala, NEOM, or similar institutions.
• Experience managing operations across the Middle East and Europe.
• Exposure to international research institutes or innovation-led organizations.

Compensation and benefits

This is a founding executive opportunity with direct strategic influence on Institute Itech’s international expansion. The role offers a clear growth path as the Riyadh entity develops.

Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s background, profile, and negotiation. The package is expected to include a base salary plus equity participation in the future Riyadh entity. Exact terms will be shared confidentially during the selection process.

Approved travel and operational expenses, including those linked to the Milan onboarding period, will be reimbursed.

Application notes

Because this is a senior founding role, applications will be reviewed closely for executive track record, regional relationships, and strategic vision. A detailed letter of presentation is strongly encouraged.

Applicants should submit a CV and a letter of presentation that covers executive experience in Saudi Arabia and the GCC, relevant network and relationships, and the candidate’s vision for building and leading Riyadh operations.

An NDA is required for this position.