About the Role

Our client, a leading education investment group headquartered in Dubai, is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join as Deputy CEO. The organization specializes in investing in and managing a portfolio of high-performing schools and education networks globally. The Deputy CEO will report directly to the CEO and play a pivotal role in driving the strategic vision, operational excellence, and financial growth of the group, while ensuring the highest standards of academic quality and innovation across its investments.

This is one of the most consequential executive roles available in the education investment sector. The Deputy CEO operates at the intersection of institutional strategy, portfolio performance, stakeholder engagement, and academic quality — carrying broad authority and direct access to the CEO and board. For an experienced education leader with investment acumen, global perspective, and a genuine commitment to educational outcomes, this is a role with real scope and lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the organization’s long-term strategic vision, translating investment thesis into operational and academic priorities across the portfolio.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend investment opportunities in education groups and school networks that align with the organization’s mission, financial objectives, and geographic expansion strategy.
• Drive initiatives to expand the organization’s footprint — regionally across the Middle East and North Africa and globally — with a disciplined approach to market entry and risk management.

Portfolio Management

• Oversee the performance of existing investments, ensuring operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and academic excellence across the full portfolio of schools and education networks.
• Implement best practices in governance, compliance, and financial management across all partner institutions and education groups within the portfolio.
• Work closely with leadership teams within the portfolio to support growth strategies, operational improvements, and performance turnaround where required.

Academic Excellence

• Ensure academic innovation and high-quality learning outcomes are consistently delivered across all portfolio investments, with particular attention to curriculum standards and teacher development.
• Foster meaningful collaboration among schools in the portfolio to share knowledge, resources, instructional best practices, and leadership capabilities.
• Champion the thoughtful integration of modern educational technologies and evidence-based teaching methodologies across the group’s institutions.

Financial Growth and Business Development

• Collaborate with the finance team to monitor the financial performance of investments, identify opportunities for revenue enhancement, and implement cost optimization strategies without compromising educational quality.
• Lead business development initiatives to attract new investors, institutional partners, and strategic co-investment opportunities aligned with the group’s mission.
• Support fundraising efforts including investor pitching, stakeholder presentations, and capital market engagement as required by organizational growth objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with investors, school operators, regulatory bodies, government entities, and other key stakeholders across the organization’s operating markets.
• Represent the organization at regional and global education events, investment forums, and sector conferences, positioning the group as a leader and thought partner in the education investment space.
• Act as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO and the board of directors, providing market intelligence, sector insights, and considered recommendations on strategic direction.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the group, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, financial targets, and strategic objectives across all functional areas.
• Lead and develop cross-functional teams — including academic, operational, HR, and financial leadership — to achieve organizational goals and build long-term institutional capacity.
• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across all aspects of the organization’s operations and portfolio management.

Education, Experience, and Skills

What This Opportunity Offers

Retained Search by Excelon Associates

Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Asheville, NC, with additional offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL. Our higher education and financial services practices place C-suite executives, vice presidents, and senior portfolio leaders at education investment groups, holding companies, and multi-institutional organizations across the Middle East, the United States, and internationally. Since 2007 we have supported clients in finding the executive talent that drives sustainable growth and academic quality across complex education organizations.

For organizations committed to operational excellence and transformative leadership in education investment, Excelon Associates is a trusted recruitment partner. Reach out to start a confidential conversation, or browse our full sample job descriptions library for related C-suite and education leadership roles.