Account Director, Edelman Data & Intelligence

Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) is a global, multidisciplinary research, analytics and data consultancy with a distinctly human mission.

We use data and intelligence to help businesses and organizations build trusting relationships with people: making communications more authentic, engagement more exciting and connections more meaningful.

DXI brings together and integrates the necessary people-based PR, communications, social, research and exogenous data, as well as the technology infrastructure to create, collect, store and manage first-party data and identity resolution. DXI is comprised of over 350 research specialists, business scientists, data engineers, behavioral and machine-learning experts, and data strategy consultants based in 15 markets around the world.

To learn more, visit: https://www.edelmandxi.com

The Role

• Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) is looking for an Account Director to manage on-the-ground activity in KSA, based in Riyadh. This role is an extension of our growing team in the region and will work closely with colleagues across the Middle East and EMEA.
• As an Account Director, you will manage Edelman DXI’s day-to-day activity in KSA, acting as the main point of contact for Edelman colleagues, clients, and prospects. You will advise on research approaches and coordinate closely with colleagues across the Middle East and EMEA to deliver client work, while also being responsible for tracking project finances, developing the team, and contributing to wider regional operations.
  
  
  

What You Will Do:

• Act as the main point of contact of Edelman DXI in KSA across new business, project delivery, client servicing and knowledge sharing
• Identify client needs and advise on insight opportunities, recommending approaches grounded in Edelman DXI methodologies, with support from regional leadership
• Lead end-to-end project delivery from client briefing to insight-driven deliverables
• Coordinate with the wider team in EMEA to secure support and ensure smooth delivery across all workstreams
• Manage all financial aspects of the KSA pipeline and projects, feeding into overall regional P&L management
• Contribute to recruitment, line manage junior team members, and oversee their development
  
  
  

Job Responsibilities

• Client management
• Lead and grow client accounts by identifying client needs, with support from senior leadership
• Drive and support new business opportunities, including taking client briefings and developing proposals and budgets
• Advise clients on opportunities for intelligence and insight and recommend approaches grounded in Edelman DXI methodologies
• Build, develop, and maintain strong client relationships – both internally and externally – using effective communication and networking skills
• Share industry updates, new research techniques, and best practices with the wider team
• Project management
• Lead multiple projects simultaneously, from initial client meetings to final presentation of findings
• Oversee project management and account budgets, ensuring delivery in a cost-effective manner
• Advise on appropriate research methods and integrate relevant methodologies
• Create and develop insightful, fact-based, story-driven client deliverables
• Apply AI-based tools and solutions to deliver faster and deeper insights, and identify opportunities to integrate AI to improve efficiency and insight quality
• People management:
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of the local market and its cultural and business specificities
• Enable local teams to effectively leverage Edelman DXI capabilities in data-driven communications and performance measurement
• Work across local, regional and international teams, prioritizing your own work and that of others to meet deadlines effectively
• Manage one direct report and provide leadership guidance, reporting to a Senior Vice President
  
  
  

What We’re Looking For:

• Fluent Arabic speaker (written and spoken) with strong English communication skills.
• Thrive in ambiguous situations
• Embrace challenges with confidence
• Show entrepreneurial spirit and operate autonomously
• Exhibit stamina and manage stress effectively
• Communicate effectively in English (required) and in Arabic (strongly preferred)
• Enjoy examining a problem from multiple different perspectives
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team
  
  
  

Job Location and Benefits:

• Riyadh, The Business District Airport Road
• Working hours 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Career development opportunities.
• Hydride working module
  
  
  

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.