This role is with a boutique consulting firm based in Riyadh, operating in executive search and HR advisory across Saudi Arabia and the GCC. The firm is founder-led, focused on Vision 2030-aligned leadership hiring, and covers C-suite search, board and NRC advisory, and people-strategy consulting.

The Role

Associate Partner – Business Development is a revenue-origination seat, not a salaried business development position. You will work directly with the Founder and Managing Partner to source and close retained search and advisory mandates. Compensation starts modest and scales with what you bring in. There is a written path to Partner title and profit share tied to revenue thresholds, not tenure. If you require a market-rate base salary before demonstrating results, this role is not suitable.

What You Will Own

Compensation Structure

Expected Profile

• Originate new client relationships with CEOs, CHROs, boards, and NRC chairs across KSA and the GCC
• Convert conversations into retained search and advisory mandates, including proposals, pricing, and negotiation
• Co-lead delivery on mandates you win: client management, shortlist presentation, and offer stage
• Build ownership of a sector or functional practice area, for example logistics, fintech, PIF portfolio companies, or board advisory
• Represent the firm at industry events and on LinkedIn, contributing to brand presence alongside the founder
• Contribute to firm operations, tooling, and process as the business scales
• Modest base salary during the ramp-up period, expected to cover the first six to twelve months
• Commission on fee revenue you originate, paid on client collection
• Written milestones to Partner title and profit share based on revenue thresholds
• Full transparency on firm economics from day one
• Eight to fifteen years of experience in executive search, HR consulting, professional services business development, or a senior corporate HR or talent role with a strong external network
• A demonstrable, warm network of decision-makers in Saudi Arabia — not aspirational
• Proven track record of selling retained or advisory services, or repeated senior hiring through agencies with clear understanding of what strong delivery looks like
• Comfortable with modest fixed pay for the first six to twelve months in exchange for upside; genuine entrepreneurial risk appetite and financial runway to support this
• Integrity and discretion — you will handle confidential C-suite mandates from the outset
• Fluent in Arabic and English; Saudi national or long-tenured GCC resident strongly preferred