Head of Private Client Group Full Time

Role Summary

The Head of Private Client Group (PCG) will lead the build-out and ongoing management of PhillipCapital DIFC’s wealth management franchise serving High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI), single and multi-family offices, and entrepreneur clients across the MENA region and select international markets.

This is a senior, P&L-owning role accountable for strategy, revenue growth, AUM expansion, team leadership, and the delivery of a differentiated client experience across discretionary, advisory, and execution-only mandates. The successful candidate will be a recognised industry leader with an established client following and the standing to represent PhillipCapital at the highest levels in the region.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

•     Define, articulate, and execute the strategic roadmap for the Private Client Group in line with

PhillipCapital Group’s global wealth and brokerage business strategy.

•     Position PhillipCapital DIFC as a credible, full-service brokerage and wealth platform of choice for MENA-based and internationally mobile private clients.

•     Identify and develop new market segments, client geographies, and service propositions (e.g., Shariah-compliant wealth, NRI desk, family office services).

Commercial & P&L Ownership

•     Carry full P&L accountability for the PCG business, including revenue, AUM, net new money (NNM), cost discipline, and profitability targets.

•     Set and cascade revenue, AUM, and client acquisition targets across the relationship management team.

•     Drive cross-sell across the broader PhillipCapital product suite — brokerage, fixed income, structured products, funds, FX, and bespoke solutions.

Client Origination & Relationship Management

•     Personally originate and manage a portfolio of strategic UHNWI and family office relationships.

•     Leverage existing network and Phillip Capital’s global footprint to bring new institutional-quality clients onto the platform.

•     Act as the senior client sponsor for the firm’s most significant private client relationships.

Team Leadership

•     Recruit, retain, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Relationship Managers, Investment Advisors, and support staff.

•     Establish robust performance management, coaching, and succession planning practices.

•     Foster a culture of fiduciary mindset, client centricity, and commercial discipline.

Investment & Product Oversight

•     Partner with Investment Advisory, Research, and Product teams to ensure advice quality, suitability, and a compelling client investment proposition.

•     Oversee portfolio construction frameworks, house views integration, and discretionary mandate governance.

•     Ensure consistent delivery of advisory standards across the team.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

•     Operate within the DFSA regulatory framework and ensure full adherence to suitability, AML/CTF, KYC, conduct, and market abuse requirements.

•     Partner closely with Compliance, MLRO, Risk, and Legal on client onboarding, complex case approvals, and supervisory oversight.

•     Champion a strong control environment and proactive risk culture within the PCG.

Stakeholder Management

•     Represent PhillipCapital DIFC externally with regulators, custodians, banking partners, professional advisors, and the wider DIFC ecosystem.

•     Engage with PhillipCapital Group senior leadership globally on strategy, performance, and best practice exchange.

Candidate Profile

Experience

•     Minimum 10 years in private banking, wealth management, or private wealth advisory, with 3–4 years of direct on-the-ground experience in the MENA / GCC domain covering regional HNWI / UHNWI clients.

•     Demonstrable track record of building and managing a client book of material scale, with a portable or influenceable AUM and a clear plan to mobilise it onto the PhillipCapital platform.

•     Deep familiarity with GCC family office structures, succession dynamics, Shariah-sensitive client considerations, and cross-border wealth planning.

•     Prior P&L or sub-P&L responsibility within a regulated wealth or private banking environment.

Qualifications

•     Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, CFA, CFP, or equivalent post-graduate qualification strongly preferred.

•     Working knowledge of DFSA Conduct of Business and Client Classification rules.

Skills & Attributes

•     Recognised standing and personal brand within the regional wealth community.

•     Exceptional client-facing presence; ability to engage credibly with principals and decision-makers of significant wealth.

•     Strong commercial instinct balanced with disciplined risk and conduct sensibilities.

•     Inspirational leader capable of attracting and developing senior talent.

•     Multilingual capability preferred — English fluency required; Arabic, Hindi/Urdu, or other regional languages an advantage.

What We Offer

•     A founding leadership seat in a growing DIFC-licensed firm, backed by an established global financial services group having access in Middle East and Africa.

•     Competitive base salary, performance-linked variable compensation, and long-term incentives commensurate with seniority and book.

•     Access to Phillip Capital’s global product, research, and client referral network.