Associate Director, Co-Head of Private Equity, Fund Investments, Leading GCC Pension Fund (Role Based in the Middle East)

Our client, a leading GCC-based pension fund, is seeking an experienced Private Equity investor to join its Illiquid Alternatives platform in a senior leadership capacity.

Reporting to the Head of Illiquid Alternatives , the successful individual will join and operate as one of two Team Leads within the Private Equity platform , with responsibility for leading their own investment silo.

The role will have a strong focus on global Private Equity fund investments , with responsibility across strategy, manager selection, investment execution, portfolio construction and ongoing portfolio oversight. The successful candidate will work closely with the other Private Equity Team Lead and senior investment leadership, while taking significant ownership for their respective area of the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy Leadership: Contribute to the development and ongoing refinement of the institution’s global Private Equity investment strategy, working closely with the other Team Lead and senior investment leadership
• Manager Sourcing & Selection: Lead sourcing and evaluation of best-in-class private equity fund managers across geographies, sectors, and return profiles
• Due Diligence & Structuring: Oversee all aspects of investment due diligence, including qualitative assessments, risk analysis, legal negotiations, and investment memo preparation
• Portfolio Construction: Optimise portfolio allocation by ensuring diversification, risk-adjusted return potential, and alignment with the broader investment strategy
• Team Leadership: Provide leadership, mentorship and senior oversight to investment professionals within the Private Equity team, while contributing to the continued development of the wider Illiquid Investments platform.
• GP Relationships: Build and maintain senior relationships with leading global Private Equity firms and act as a senior representative of the institution across the broader GP community.
• Investment Committee Engagement: Present investment recommendations and portfolio views to senior internal stakeholders and investment committees.
• Market Intelligence: Maintain a deep understanding of global Private Equity markets, including fundraising conditions, manager performance, strategy evolution, valuations and emerging opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 13+ years of relevant experience in private equity fund-of-funds, or institutional allocator roles
• Demonstrated track record of successful private equity fund selection and portfolio construction
• Strong network within the private equity manager and GP community
• Experience working with or within sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, family offices, or large institutional investors would be particularly relevant