We Are Hiring – Vice President for Research & Innovation | Riyadh, KSA
A prestigious Saudi Arabian entity is seeking a Vice President for Research & Innovation to lead and transform its extensive research enterprise. This executive will be the senior leader responsible for shaping a world-class innovation ecosystem, positioning the organization as a globally competitive powerhouse driving the transition to a knowledge-based, AI-driven economy.
This is a pivotal leadership role for a high-caliber executive with a proven track record of building large-scale research programs and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration across strategic sectors.
Key Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with sectors of strategic importance, including health, energy, AI, and sustainability. Ecosystem Transformation: Lead the transition to an impact-driven ecosystem, emphasizing translational research and real-world applications. Commercialization & IP: Drive the commercialization of research outputs through licensing, patents, and spin-offs while overseeing technology transfer activities. Partnership Management: Build and manage strategic partnerships with industry leaders, government bodies, and international investment entities. Governance & Funding: Oversee all research assets, secure funding from diverse global sources, and ensure compliance with international ethical and IP standards. Digital Innovation: Lead the development of AI-enabled infrastructure and modernize data management to meet international standards.
What We’re Looking For:20+ years of leadership experience: A minimum of 20 years in research or academic leadership, including at least 8 years in senior executive administration roles. Proven Impact: A documented record of managing large-scale programs with significant funding and measurable commercial or societal impact. Strategic Foresight: The ability to influence regional R&D priorities and navigate complex stakeholder environments. Global Diplomacy: Experience representing organizational interests in international forums and strengthening ties with global consortia. Regional Expertise: Ideally, familiarity with the GCC research and innovation ecosystem. Educational Requirement: Ph. D. in a relevant scientific, engineering, or medical field. (Executive education in innovation or leadership is preferred.)
???? Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia