Looking to Relocate to Saudi Arabia — Industrial Operations Leader Seeking Guidance

Hi there, 

I assume based on your description that you'd be primarily targeting consulting firms in Saudi Arabia. 

If that's the case, I would start by having a few conversations with people who have managed a similar transition (relocating professionally from Europe to Saudi Arabia). You should be able to find them over LinkedIn (use the link below to get a sense of how to source the contacts). They should give you a clear understanding of the techniques you can resort to motivate your relocation:

• Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn?

Then, in terms of consulting firms, I'd recommend you go broad, but do try and get referrals with as many of them as possible. The coffee chats I was mentioning above might be the way to get these referrals, and this will increase your chances of passing screening. You might find this guide useful:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Hi,

Your background is impressive — leading large-scale industrial ramp-ups and managing teams of 250+ is exactly the kind of operational depth that consulting firms in the Middle East (especially Saudi Arabia) are increasingly looking for, particularly as the region pushes ahead with massive transformation projects.

Having worked in consulting in the Middle East myself, here’s a practical model that I’ve seen work well — especially for experienced professionals like you coming from Europe:

🚀 1. Apply Broadly Across Top Consulting Players
 

In this region, the top 7–8 firms (MBB, Oliver Wyman, Strategy&, Roland Berger, Kearney, and specialized firms like A&M or AlixPartners) all handle high-impact transformation projects — from industrial expansion and localization to turnaround mandates in public and private sectors. While MBB carries brand weight, the work itself across these firms can be equally strategic, especially in Saudi.

✈️ 2. Be Open to a Dubai Base (Even if Your Target is KSA)
 

Unless you’re firmly committed to relocating to Saudi Arabia full-time, the common model is to be based in Dubai and fly into KSA weekly. That’s how many expat consultants operate, especially when coming from Europe. Most regional firms are structured to support that.

📣 3. Network — Strategically and Persistently

I’ve personally landed interviews and roles across four continents, all through LinkedIn. My advice: identify 1–2 people per firm in the Middle East (especially those in industrial/operations practices), and write tailored messages — not just asking for jobs but expressing interest in the region and how your operational background can plug into their current mandates. If helpful, I’d be happy to coach you on how to position these messages effectively.

📊 4. Position Yourself Like a Consultant

Your experience is already highly relevant — the key is how you tell the story:
 

• Quantify outcomes clearly (e.g. “reduced production downtime by X% in Y months”)
• Structure your achievements like case studies (problem → approach → result)
• Show consulting-style thinking — not just execution, but how you scoped, diagnosed, and scaled solutions

Even if you’re applying to firms like AlixPartners or Alvarez & Marsal, which often look for “doers,” this structured, outcome-driven storytelling will help you stand out — and even position you for more strategic or hybrid roles.

If you’d like, I’d be happy to take a quick look at your CV or chat about how to frame your experience for both MBB and execution-focused consultancies in the region.

Best of luck with the move — and happy to support if you want to go deeper.
 

Warm regards,

Pallav

You’ve got strong operational experience, and there’s definitely demand in KSA for execution-focused leaders, especially with your ramp-up and turnaround background.

For consulting, generalist MBB may be a stretch unless you pivot into implementation tracks (e.g., McKinsey RTS / Ops, BCG Implementation), or go via expert/affiliate routes. Alvarez & Marsal or AlixPartners are better fits if you're aiming to stay close to execution, but they generally pay less.

Also look at PIF portfolio companies, giga-projects, and industrial SPVs e.g., Modon and companies operating within SEZs (special economic zones). Many are hiring transformation leads with actual field credibility, although those roles will be a bit more less structured, and often act as a PMO-ish role managing different consultants, tech leads, manufacturing lines etc. 

Good luck!

Hey!

Your profile is super relevant for the Saudi market, industrial ramp-ups, ops leadership, and turnaround experience are exactly what firms need for Vision 2030-linked projects. MBB in the region often look for people like you to lead implementation-heavy transformations, especially at the Junior Engagement Manager or Specialist level.

If your goal is deep execution and field work, AlixPartners or A&M might actually be even more aligned than MBB, they often hire industry experts for operational transformation and PE-backed value creation work.

To position yourself well: emphasize your scale, leadership, crisis management, and tangible impact. Also highlight global experience and cultural adaptability—it really matters in the Gulf. Target both consulting and large PE-backed industrial players (like PIF-backed ventures).

Happy to help with your CV or intro email if you’re applying soon!

Best,
Alessa 

Looks like a great profile. AlixPartners and A&M could be a great fit, but there is also a demand for your kind of experience in MBB Operations practices too.

I would strongly encourage you to network your way into a few conversations with people who have had similar experiences of transitioning.

They may also be able to help you land a referral.