Managing Director, Center of Excellence in Autism

Organizational Overview

This opportunity is within one of Saudi Arabia’s largest healthcare providers, operating a network of 26 hospitals and numerous medical service centers. The healthcare system provides comprehensive services to active-duty personnel, retirees, their families, and referred civilians.

In recent years, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a national health priority. In response, the organization is launching a Center of Excellence in Autism Care (Autism CoE) aimed at transforming the landscape of autism treatment and support across the network. The Center will focus on capability development, service innovation, and improving the overall quality of life for individuals with autism.

The Autism CoE will :

• Serve as the national leader in autism care and act as the central hub of expertise within the organization’s ecosystem,


• Lead the development and oversight of clinical care models, policies, and standardized treatment pathways,


• Deliver specialized multidisciplinary services, individualized interventions, life skills training, school transition support, and family engagement programs,


• Oversee workforce development through structured training, certification, and fellowship programs,


• Drive the development of infrastructure and digital health capabilities,


• Promote research and innovation in autism care and related digital technologies,


• Standardize autism data collection, analytics, and reporting,


• Coordinate and integrate autism‑related services across facilities and departments.

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity for a senior healthcare leader to co‑found a transformative institution dedicated to autism care in Saudi Arabia. The selected candidate will serve as Joint Managing Director of the Autism CoE and as a key advisor to senior leadership on autism‑related healthcare strategies. They will work closely with a Saudi national counterpart to oversee both the establishment and long‑term operations of the Center.

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Contract Type: Full‑time preferred.

Key Responsibilities

The selected leader will act as an executive coach and co‑director, jointly responsible for all aspects of the Autism CoE’s launch and management. Key responsibilities may include:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to realize the vision of excellence in autism care,


• Evaluating current capabilities and enhancing overall service performance across the autism care network,


• Conducting a strategic review of clinical services, research, outreach, and communication initiatives,


• Leading the transformation of existing departments to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize the patient and family experience,


• Establishing partnerships with leading autism care and research institutions globally,


• Defining and monitoring performance indicators to ensure continuous improvement,


• Collaborating with senior leadership to integrate autism‑related operations into the broader healthcare system.

Key Requirements

The ideal candidate should :

• Have a proven track record in establishing and leading autism care centers or multi‑site programs of excellence,


• Hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or M.D.) in a relevant field such as clinical psychology or neuroscience, with specialized training in autism spectrum disorder,


• Demonstrate a strong research background in autism or related neurodevelopmental disorders,


• Bring at least 15 years of leadership experience in healthcare operations, with a minimum of 8 years in senior roles,


• Possess deep knowledge of care models, healthcare finance, and regulatory environments,


• Have a successful history of developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive improved outcomes and operational efficiency,


• Exhibit excellent leadership, communication, and team‑building skills,


• Be experienced in managing complex organizations with a data‑driven and outcomes‑focused approach,


• Be committed to building local leadership capabilities through active coaching and mentorship.