Lead Portfolio Manager

About the Role

Saudi Aramco is seeking a Lead Portfolio Manager to join the Portfolio Management Department (PMD). This is a full-time position requiring over 10 years of experience. The PMD functions as a centralized ownership and capital stewardship unit for Saudi Aramco’s diversification investments and joint ventures.

Role Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Lead Portfolio Manager will be to act as the designated shareholder representative for assigned portfolio companies. This includes overseeing post-investment value realization, governance, capital efficiency, and performance accountability.

Key Duties

• Continuously assess portfolio company performance against the original investment thesis.
• Identify thesis erosion risks and recommend strategic realignment as needed.
• Provide structured shareholder-level perspectives on long-term strategic positioning.
• Develop and implement structured Value Creation Plans (VCPs) post-investment.
• Establish measurable financial and operational targets (*, EBITDA growth, ROACE improvement, cash generation, working capital efficiency).
• Monitor implementation rigor and quantify value capture.
• Lead periodic value realization reviews.
• Review reinvestment proposals and capital allocation decisions at the portfolio company level.
• Evaluate liquidity, leverage, covenant compliance, and refinancing risk.
• Assess capital efficiency relative to Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) and shareholder return expectations.
• Recommend capital structure optimization initiatives.
• Assess governance effectiveness, including Board and sub-committee structures.
• Support Aramco-nominated Directors with analytical pre-briefs and recommendations.
• Ensure reporting transparency and alignment with Aramco governance standards.
• Promote disciplined decision-making at the Board level.
• Implement standardized KPI dashboards across assigned portfolio companies.
• Monitor variance against approved budgets and long-range plans.
• Identify emerging operational or financial risks.
• Recommend structured corrective actions and escalate material risks to the CIO when appropriate.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive positioning, and macroeconomic developments.
• Translate market developments into shareholder-level implications.
• Identify growth, consolidation, or restructuring opportunities within the portfolio.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited university. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Private Equity, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Direct Industrial Investments, Consulting (with experience in designing and implementing value creation and turnaround plans), or Investment Banking (restructuring/industrial sector coverage).
• Experience in the Middle East or broader emerging markets is considered an advantage.

Application Information

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to Saudi Aramco's diversification investments. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.