Supporting the Ministry of Sport in developing its strategy and investment team

Overview

At Carter Murray, we are proud to have partnered with The Ministry of Sport Saudi Arabia on a large-scale recruitment initiative that played a key role in shaping the Ministry’s future direction.

As part of its transformation journey aligned with Vision 2030, the Ministry aimed to establish a dedicated Strategic Planning and Investment Department, a key initiative focused on strengthening internal capabilities, enhancing strategic oversight, and supporting Saudi Arabia’s growing global presence in sport.

the challenge

To deliver on this vision, the Ministry of Sport selected Carter Murray as its trusted recruitment partner. With a proven track record of supporting government entities, ministries, and giga projects across Saudi Arabia, we were well-positioned to lead this critical talent search.

Our deep understanding of the local talent market, combined with a consultative and tailored approach, enabled us to identify and attract high-calibre Saudi professionals across five core departments.

The engagement began in late 2023 and continued throughout 2024, with a mandate to hire Saudi nationals for roles ranging from Senior Specialist to General Manager.

The departments included:

• Strategic Planning Department – roles across planning, partnerships, research, performance, and reporting
• Investment Department – focused on investment enablement, club investment, portfolio management, and privatisation
• Special Projects Department – multi-disciplinary roles across a range of seniorities.
• Institutional Excellence Department – focusing on policies, procedures, and quality standards
• Planning & Follow-Up Department – process tracking and project alignment

OUR approach

We adopted a phased and consultative recruitment strategy tailored to the ministry’s needs and timeline.

Our delivery model included:

• Staged recruitment based on departmental and strategic priorities
• Weekly progress meetings to ensure alignment, flexibility, and real-time updates
• Market mapping and insights reports to identify top Saudi talent
• Dedicated project teams working alongside Ministry stakeholders to manage timelines, expectations, and role requirements

The outcome

Through this partnership, we successfully placed approximately 70% of the assigned roles across all departments, the remaining positions were either:

• Filled through internal promotion or direct sourcing by the Ministry
• Put on hold due to shifting internal priorities

Beyond individual placements, this engagement significantly strengthened our relationship with the Ministry, positioning Carter Murray as a trusted strategic partner. The success of this project has also opened doors to further opportunities with other entities and stakeholders within Saudi Arabia’s broader sports ecosystem.

We are proud to support the Kingdom’s evolving sports landscape and remain committed to delivering impactful, future-focused talent solutions that contribute to Vision 2030 and beyond.

For further information on how Carter Murray can assist in recruiting your next marketing or sales specialist, please contact Khaoula Bachira at the details below or any member of the Carter Murray Middle East team.