Director, Islamic Finance

As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, the company plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing credit analysis, ratings, research, and commentary to financial market participants. For over 100 years, the company has been creating value for global markets through its rigorous analysis and deep expertise, resulting in a variety of market-leading tools, methodologies, indices, research, and analytical products. The company is part of another entity, a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries.

About the Role
The company is currently seeking a Director, Business and Relationship Management - Islamic Finance based out of our Riyadh office. This role is essential in leading BRM activity for Islamic Finance across the Middle East and selected international markets. The position combines direct revenue responsibility with a broader franchise-building mandate, connecting activity across various regions and working closely with regional BRM teams and dedicated analytical staff.

About the Team
Business and Relationship Management (BRM) is responsible for developing and maintaining the company’s commercial relationships, originating new rating mandates, retaining existing business, and supporting sustainable revenue growth. The Director will focus on developing the company’s ratings franchise across sukuk and other Sharia-compliant financing and deepening relationships with issuers, arrangers, advisers, and market institutions.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

• Develop and execute a business development strategy for Islamic Finance ratings, aligned with the Middle East BRM plan and the company’s wider EMEA and global priorities.
• Support origination of new rating mandates and retain existing relationships across sukuk and other Sharia-compliant financing, maintaining accountability for pipeline development, conversion, and revenue outcomes.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with issuers, CFOs, treasurers, funding teams, sovereign and government-related entities, financial institutions, corporates, and infrastructure sponsors.
• Develop strong connectivity with sukuk arrangers, investment banks, advisers, law firms, trustees, exchanges, regulators, standard-setting bodies, and other influential market participants.
• Identify prospective sukuk transactions and refinancing needs early, qualifying opportunities and coordinating timely engagement with the appropriate sector and analytical teams.
• Act as a central BRM coordinator for Islamic Finance opportunities across multiple regions, connecting Middle East activity with relevant colleagues in Asia, Africa, Central Europe, and other developing markets.
• Create and maintain a coherent global Islamic Finance pipeline, while respecting local account ownership and ensuring clear allocation of responsibilities across regional BRM teams.
• Partner with dedicated Islamic Finance analysts and sector analytical groups to showcase the company’s criteria, ratings expertise, research, and market insight.
• Coordinate pitches, proposals, fee discussions, and commercial follow-ups, ensuring compliance with the company policies, regulatory requirements, and established approval processes.
• Develop account plans for priority issuers and intermediaries, enhancing senior access and positioning the company for repeat issuance and long-term rating relationships.
• Collaborate with Investor Development to gather relevant investor feedback and demonstrate demand for the company’s ratings.
• Lead targeted market engagement, including issuer roundtables, banker briefings, webinars, podcasts, conferences, and thought-leadership initiatives focused on Islamic Finance and sukuk.
• Own and shape the Islamic Finance marketing and events budget, ensuring investment aligns with priority markets, sectors, and revenue opportunities.
• Develop and maintain an annual Islamic Finance events plan, prioritizing profitable conferences and sponsorships and actively managing budget spending.
• Coordinate the company’s participation at priority Islamic Finance events, ensuring visibility and securing speaking opportunities for senior management and analysts.
• Identify cross-sector collaboration opportunities within the company and facilitate introductions to other businesses as appropriate.
• Monitor market developments, issuance trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes affecting Islamic Finance, translating these into clear commercial priorities.
• Maintain accurate Salesforce records, forecasts, and pipeline reporting, providing transparent visibility on activities and revenue performance.
• Represent the company as a senior ambassador in Saudi Arabia, the GCC and wider Islamic Finance market.

Key Internal Partnerships

• Middle East and Africa BRM leadership and sector coverage teams
• EMEA, APAC, and other regional BRM colleagues covering Islamic Finance opportunities
• The company’s Islamic Finance specialists and relevant analytical groups
• Investor Development, Marketing, Events, and Compliance teams
• Other businesses as appropriate

Measures of Success

• Growth in qualified Islamic Finance pipeline, new mandates, retained mandates, and associated revenue
• Developing alternative revenue streams linked to Sukuk / Sharia compliant ratings
• Early identification and effective coverage of priority sukuk transactions
• Quality of relationships across issuers, arrangers, advisers, and key institutions
• Coordination of Islamic Finance opportunities across regions and sectors
• Continued visibility and consideration of the company in the GCC and international sukuk markets
• Clear evidence of commercial outcomes through Salesforce management.

You May be a Good Fit If:

• At least six years of relevant experience in debt capital markets, investment banking, or financial services, with exposure to fixed income origination or relationship management.
• Strong understanding of sukuk structures, Islamic Finance principles, and the roles of issuers and investors.
• Proven track record of originating or developing financial services business and converting senior relationships into commercial outcomes.
• Established relationships within the wider GCC across issuers and advisers would be advantageous.
• Ability to coordinate complex opportunities involving multiple countries and teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills with the credibility to engage at senior levels.
• Fluency in English; Arabic language skills are a strong advantage.
• Strong commercial judgement, organisational discipline, and ability to work independently.
• Collaborative working style with a clear understanding of analytical independence.

Why Choose the Company:

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development, and mentorship programs.
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs.
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings for well-being.
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan.
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued.
• Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days and matched funding for donations.

At the company, AI is embedded in daily operations, supporting smarter decision-making and enabling teams to work more efficiently. We’re looking for colleagues who are adaptable and eager to build their AI literacy over time. The company is committed to providing objective, timely, independent, and forward-looking credit opinions while avoiding any conflicts of interest. Successful candidates will be required to declare any securities holdings and potential conflicts prior to employment, and any holdings that may conflict with responsibilities may need to be divested.

The company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, evaluating qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.