About the company

Gulf Financial Careers is the premier Middle East financial career source. We offer human capital solutions to our clients and opportunities for the Middle East job seeker. We aim to provide high quality service and job transparency across the Middle East.

The S&T Group is a financial services executive search firm catering exclusively to Dubai and the greater Gulf; focusing on direct investing (private equity and hedge funds), investment banking, capital markets, and accounting opportunities. We were founded with the mission of being primary contributors to the economic and corporate development of the Middle East. We believe, with the right professional talent, the Middle East has all the resources necessary to become a leader in the corporate world.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

As Gulf Financial Careers, is just starting off, my roles as managing partner are still being defined. However, my main responsibility is being the chief executive and making sure that the website marketing efforts and corporate sales team work together.

At the S&T Group, my job consists, on a day to day basis, of finding the right talented candidates for our clients. Since our clients are multi-billion dollar institutions that have very specific needs sourcing the right candidates who are willing to make the job to the Middle East is a bit of challenge. I will spend most of my days advertising the S&T Group marketing efforts in addition to screening and talking to candidates on the phone for at least four hours each day. I also manage a set of clients with whom I correspond to service their recruiting needs. This requires waking up at early hours in New York making around of phone calls to Dubai and the rest of the Middle East.

Most notable milestones

A notable Milestone of Gulf Financial Careers is launching!

The S&T Group milestones have been attaining clients such as Goldman Sachs, Abraaj Capital, Istithmar, and SHUAA Capital.

What's the niche?

At the S&T Group, our niche is matching outstanding American and European candidates for our clients through our rigorous screening process. We attribute our ability to attract top talent to three distinct characteristics:

• Our team is comprised of former Wall Street professionals with experiences in hedge-funds, investment banking, capital markets, management consulting, accounting, and firm recruiting,
• Our professional background allows us to leverage our extensive network of talented professionals around the globe
• All professionals are fluent in Arabic and have a strong cultural understanding of the region

What's the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is the placement of each and every candidate. As with any search business, its a constant challenge everyday making sure that both our candidates and our clients are happy. If either side is not happy, the process falls apart in a matter of minutes and months of work is lost.

What's in store for the future?

To be honest, as Gulf Financial Careers is at its nascent stages, there will be very little innovative effort from my end. On a personal level, I will be applying to business school for Fall 2008 and my wife and I are expecting our first child (Elhamdullilah).

Best way to keep a competitive edge

At the S&T Group and Gulf Financial Careers, my sole and most important competitive advantage and edge is my extensive network of financial services professionals in both the Americas and the Middle East. Without this advantage, both ventures would certainly have failed.

Guiding principle in life

Islam! It is my belief that regardless of any success in life that one might have, it would be total emptiness without the constant remembrance of God. Within that remembrance, the perfect example of how to live life is through the example of Prophet Muhammad, God's peace and blessings be upon him.

Yardstick of success

Getting positive feedback from my clients and to be told that there is no other executive search as good as the S&T Group.

Goal yet to be achieved

Memorize the entire Quran – this is a major goal in my life. I pray to God that I can do it.

Best practical advice

A lot of people might say "live life." Mine is quite the opposite. It is "live for death." If you realize that every day we're all going to the same place, we would do a lot more to prepare for that day.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

"You better make a lot of money, I need a new car." – My Mom

Mentors

My wife – she's honestly the only person in the world who tells me like it is!

What motivated you to get started?

My main motivation to get started The S&T Group and, subsequently, Gulf Financial Careers, was my personal dislike of corporate America. I felt that I was losing my cultural and religious heritage in the environment I was in and I felt that I was not contributing to something that would be lasting.

Like best about what you do?

The ability to see a product from its beginning and watch it grow and prosper.

Like least about what you do?

Long hours! As I'm writing this, I'm realizing the countless hours I just spent on the computer working on S&T Group related work.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

At Age 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a dog.

At Age 10, I was a confused kid trying to pass my grade year.

What was your first job?

A technology intern at the Old Chase Investment Bank on Wall Street.

Biggest pastime outside of work

Going to the Mosque, memorizing the Quran, and spending time with my wife and family.

Person most interested in meeting

The Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed Makhtoom bin Rashd, he's an Arab Godfather with 14 kids; the epitome of cool.

Leader in business most interested in meeting

The two guys that started Google – they're nerdy, but they definitely could give me a few pointers.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. I learned arabic in college in order to speak to my fiancee.
2. I'm Egyptian/Guatemalan.
3. I think that sushi in Japan is terrible and that the best sushi is in NY!

Three characteristics that describe you

1. Muslim
2. I'm from Brooklyn
3. A damn good husband (or at least I think so)

Three greatest passions

1. Islam
2. Taking care of my parents
3. Spending time with my wife

(I've turned into my dad, oh no!)

Favorite book

The Quran in Arabic

Favorite cause

Palestine ... would you expect differently?

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Anyone interested in exploring financial services jobs in the Middle East.