This is a rare leadership opportunity to help shape one of the most exciting new marketing ventures in the Middle East. At a time when the Gulf region is experiencing extraordinary economic expansion and brands are investing heavily in sophisticated, culturally intelligent marketing, tml Partners are proudly partnering with this newly established strategy-led integrated agency in Riyadh as it is assembling its founding leadership team.
Designed from the ground up to set a new benchmark for insight-driven creativity and strategic thinking, the agency is backed by a major regional business group with a long history of building high-profile international brands and ventures. As demand for world-class brand strategy accelerates across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, the organisation is seeking a Chief Strategy and Insights Officer to define and lead the agency’s strategic discipline from day one.
Role Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the CEO and General Manager, the Chief Strategy and Insights Officer will play a central role in shaping the agency’s philosophy, methodology and strategic direction. The role carries responsibility for building and leading the strategy and insights function, establishing frameworks and tools that enable the business to deliver consistently rigorous, research-led thinking across every client engagement. Working closely with creative leadership, the successful candidate will ensure that strategy and creativity operate as an integrated force, translating cultural insight and behavioural understanding into compelling brand narratives and impactful communications programmes. The role also carries significant influence in defining the agency’s market positioning, developing intellectual property and contributing to the organisation’s commercial growth through high-level client relationships and new business activity.
This position will guide the development of multidisciplinary research and insight practices that combine qualitative exploration, data analysis and cultural observation. From early client briefing through to delivery and evaluation, the Chief Strategy and Insights Officer will ensure that every project is anchored in meaningful insight and designed to generate measurable commercial impact. The role will also represent the strategic voice of the organisation in industry conversations, thought leadership initiatives and senior client engagements, while mentoring and developing a new generation of strategists as the agency expands.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will bring extensive experience leading strategy and insight functions within internationally recognised agencies or consultancies. They will have a strong track record of shaping brand and communications strategy for complex organisations and of translating research and data into clear, persuasive strategic direction. A deep understanding of cultural dynamics, audience behaviour and the role of insight in modern brand building will be essential. The role calls for a strategic thinker who combines intellectual rigour with creative instinct, and who is confident advising senior stakeholders while inspiring creative and strategic teams alike. An entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to build structures, teams and processes from the ground up will be particularly valuable, as will experience working across international markets ideally with exposure to the Middle East.
