Director Center of Expertise

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to establish and direct our new Center of Expertise. This role will be instrumental in building and managing a comprehensive framework that drives excellence across talent management, knowledge preservation, AI integration, and product development. The successful candidate will be responsible for creating this function from the ground up, establishing processes, building teams, and ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Setup (First 6-12 months)

• Design and implement the organizational structure, operating model, and governance framework for the CoE.
• Develop comprehensive strategies for each core pillar: talent management, knowledge management, AI/technology integration, and product development.
• Create and manage budgets, resource allocation plans, and performance metrics.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across the organization to ensure buy-in and alignment.

Talent Capability Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive capability framework for the organization.
• Create systems to track, forecast, and manage both internal and external talent pools.
• Establish partnerships with key external talent providers and manage the vendor ecosystem.
• Design and implement capability development programs to address skill gaps.
• Create talent mobility frameworks to optimize resource allocation.

Knowledge Management

• Design and implement a knowledge management system that captures, organizes, and disseminates consulting methodologies and best practices.
• Establish processes for systematic knowledge capture from project deliverables.
• Create quality control mechanisms to ensure knowledge assets meet standards.
• Develop frameworks for continuous improvement and refinement of methodologies.
• Implement metrics to track knowledge utilization and impact.
• Lead the integration of AI and emerging technologies into consulting methodologies.
• Develop standardized approaches for AI-enabled delivery.
• Create training programs to upskill consultants in AI and digital technologies.
• Establish partnerships with technology providers and maintain awareness of emerging trends.
• Design quality assurance frameworks for AI-enabled deliverables.

Product & Service Development

• Establish a systematic approach to market research and needs analysis.
• Lead the development of new consulting products and services.
• Create frameworks for testing and validating new offerings.
• Design pricing and go-to-market strategies for new products.
• Implement systems to track product performance and gather client feedback.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Management, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in management consulting or professional services.
• 7+ years in leadership roles with demonstrated experience in building and scaling new functions.
• Track record of successful large-scale transformation initiatives.

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of consulting methodologies and best practices.
• Strong knowledge of AI and emerging technologies in consulting.
• Expertise in knowledge management systems and practices.
• Experience with capability frameworks and talent management.
• Product development and innovation management expertise.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong change management and organizational development skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• Proven ability to influence and align senior leadership.
• Track record of building and leading high-performing teams.

Industry Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the management consulting industry.
• Knowledge of current market trends and competitive landscape.
• Experience with digital transformation and innovation.
• Understanding of professional services business models.

Success Metrics (First Year)

1. Establishment of fully operational CoE with defined processes and governance.
2. Implementation of a knowledge management system with measurable utilization.
3. Development of a comprehensive capability framework and talent management system.
4. Integration of AI into at least 3 key service offerings.
5. Launch of 2-3 new products/services based on market research.
6. Achievement of defined KPIs for knowledge reuse and talent optimization.

Reporting & Structure

- Reports to: Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer.

- Direct Reports: Initially 3-5 team leads (to be hired) covering each core pillar.

- Key Interfaces: Practice Leaders, HR, Technology, Sales, Delivery Teams.

Location

- Riyadh, KSA with flexibility for hybrid working.

- Regular travel required (30-40%) for stakeholder management and team building.

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to build and shape a critical function that will drive the future success of our consulting organization. The role offers significant autonomy, executive visibility, and the chance to make a lasting impact on our firm's capabilities and market position.