Marketing Manager Resume Example for Jobs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Marketing Manager Job Market in Riyadh

Riyadh is experiencing the most dramatic marketing industry transformation in the Middle East, driven by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy that has unleashed billions of riyals in marketing spend across entertainment, tourism, sports, mega-projects, and consumer sectors. The Saudi capital has rapidly evolved from a market where marketing was largely limited to traditional media and cautious brand campaigns into a dynamic, digitally sophisticated market where bold creativity, experiential activations, and cutting-edge digital strategies are now the norm.

The scale of opportunity is staggering. Vision 2030 mega-projects alone — NEOM, The Red Sea Development, Qiddiya, Diriyah Gate, The Line, and Roshn — each require massive marketing and communications teams to build global brand awareness, attract investors and visitors, and recruit talent. The Saudi Entertainment Authority, established in 2016, has transformed the Kingdom's cultural landscape by licensing concerts, cinema, sporting events, and festivals, creating an entirely new entertainment marketing sector that barely existed a decade ago. Riyadh Season, the annual entertainment festival that runs for several months, has become one of the world's largest event marketing platforms, featuring international performers, immersive experiences, and commercial activations that require hundreds of marketing professionals to plan and execute.

Saudi Arabia's advertising market is now the largest in the GCC, surpassing the UAE. Total advertising expenditure in the Kingdom exceeded SAR 10 billion in 2025, with digital channels accounting for over 55% of total spend. This growth has attracted global agency networks to expand their Riyadh operations significantly. Publicis Groupe, Dentsu, Omnicom, and WPP have all invested in larger Riyadh offices and local talent acquisition. Homegrown agencies have also flourished, specializing in Arabic-language creative, Saudi cultural insights, and local influencer networks that international agencies struggle to replicate.

A defining characteristic of the Riyadh marketing landscape is the emphasis on Arabic-language marketing. Unlike Dubai, where English often dominates in marketing communications, Riyadh campaigns overwhelmingly prioritize Arabic content. Saudi consumers engage most deeply with Arabic-first creative across social media, advertising, and brand communications. Marketing managers who can conceptualize, direct, and evaluate Arabic creative work — not just translate English campaigns — are in exceptionally high demand. This Arabic-first requirement extends to social media, where Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top markets for Twitter (X), Snapchat, and TikTok usage, all predominantly consumed in Arabic.

The relocation of regional headquarters to Riyadh, driven by the Saudi government's requirement that companies wanting government contracts must be headquartered in the Kingdom, has brought a wave of multinational marketing operations to the city. Companies like PepsiCo, Unilever, Siemens, and dozens of others have expanded their Riyadh marketing teams, creating senior-level positions that would have been based in Dubai just a few years ago.

Top Employers Hiring Marketing Managers in Riyadh

STC (Saudi Telecom Company) — the Kingdom's largest telecommunications company and one of its biggest advertisers, STC employs a substantial marketing team covering brand management, digital marketing, performance marketing, product marketing, and sponsorship activation. STC's marketing budget is among the largest of any Saudi company, and marketing managers here gain experience with massive campaigns spanning TV, digital, outdoor, and experiential channels. The company is also a major sponsor of Saudi sporting events and entertainment properties, requiring marketing managers with event and sponsorship activation expertise.

MBC Group — the Arab world's largest media company, MBC has been expanding its Riyadh operations as part of the broader media industry relocation to the Saudi capital. Marketing managers at MBC work on content marketing, platform promotion (Shahid streaming service), advertising sales marketing, and event marketing for MBC-produced entertainment properties. The company offers exposure to Arabic-language content marketing at a scale unmatched anywhere in the region.

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) — responsible for positioning Saudi Arabia as a global tourism destination, the STA runs some of the most ambitious destination marketing campaigns in the world. Marketing managers at STA work on international brand campaigns, digital marketing for the Visit Saudi platform, influencer partnerships, and event marketing for cultural festivals and heritage sites. The authority offers competitive government-sector packages and the opportunity to shape the global perception of Saudi Arabia.

Mobily (Etihad Etisalat) — Saudi Arabia's second-largest telecom operator, Mobily runs significant marketing operations from its Riyadh headquarters. Marketing managers handle product launches, digital acquisition campaigns, loyalty program marketing, and brand campaigns in a highly competitive telecom market. The company is known for its digital-first marketing approach and investment in marketing technology.

SACO (Saudi Automotive Company) — one of the Kingdom's leading home improvement and hardware retailers, SACO's marketing team manages retail marketing, e-commerce marketing, seasonal promotions, and loyalty programs. Marketing managers here gain deep experience in Saudi retail consumer behavior and omnichannel marketing.

Jarir Marketing — Saudi Arabia's largest retailer of books, electronics, and office supplies, Jarir runs a substantial marketing operation covering retail marketing, e-commerce, social media, and seasonal campaigns. The company's marketing team is known for understanding the Saudi consumer deeply and executing Arabic-first campaigns that consistently drive strong commercial results.

Riyadh Season / General Entertainment Authority — the organization behind Riyadh Season and other entertainment events requires marketing managers for event marketing, social media management, influencer coordination, ticketing promotions, and international media campaigns. These roles offer high-visibility experience in one of the world's most talked-about entertainment marketing platforms.

City-Specific Resume Tips for Riyadh

Emphasize Arabic-language marketing capability. This is the single most important differentiator for Riyadh marketing roles. If you can write, review, or direct Arabic creative content, state this explicitly. Mention specific Arabic-language campaigns you have managed, Arabic social media channels you have grown, and any experience with Arabic SEO or Arabic-language influencer partnerships. Even if Arabic is not your first language, any level of Arabic marketing proficiency should be highlighted.

Highlight Vision 2030 awareness and alignment. Marketing managers in Riyadh operate within the context of Saudi Arabia's national transformation. Reference your understanding of Vision 2030 objectives, Saudi tourism development goals, entertainment sector growth, and the broader narrative of Saudi Arabia's modernization. Campaigns that align with national priorities — Saudization, women's empowerment, tourism promotion, cultural preservation — are more likely to receive government support and brand approval.

Showcase Riyadh Season or Saudi entertainment marketing experience. If you have worked on Riyadh Season activations, Saudi entertainment events, or concert/festival marketing in the Kingdom, this deserves prominent placement. The entertainment marketing sector is new and growing rapidly, and experience in this space is rare and highly valued.

Mention familiarity with Saudi advertising regulations. Saudi Arabia has specific advertising regulations enforced by the Ministry of Commerce and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (for health-related products). Marketing managers who understand advertising compliance, content moderation requirements, and cultural sensitivity guidelines for the Saudi market demonstrate professionalism that employers value.

Reference Saudi-specific social media platforms and behavior. Saudi Arabia is the world's top per-capita market for YouTube consumption and one of the largest for Twitter (X), Snapchat, and TikTok. Demonstrate platform-specific knowledge — for example, understanding that Saudi Twitter conversations often drive news cycles, that Snapchat Discover is a premium advertising channel in the Kingdom, or that TikTok's Arabic content ecosystem differs significantly from its English-language counterpart.

Include relocation readiness or Riyadh residence status. The Riyadh marketing job market has historically faced talent shortages, partly due to lifestyle concerns that have diminished rapidly as the city has modernized. Clearly state if you are already based in Riyadh, willing to relocate, or have existing Saudi iqama (residence permit). Companies offering relocation packages want to know you are committed to Riyadh specifically, not just Saudi Arabia in general.

Salary Expectations for Marketing Managers in Riyadh

Marketing manager salaries in Riyadh have risen sharply since 2022, driven by Vision 2030 demand, the headquarters relocation mandate, and competition for Arabic-speaking marketing talent. Saudi Arabia also offers zero personal income tax, making these salaries fully tax-free.

Junior Marketing Manager (2-4 years): SAR 12,000-18,000 per month. Entry-level management roles at agencies, retailers, or telecom companies. Saudization (Nitaqat) requirements mean that Saudi nationals may receive higher offers at some companies.

Mid-Level Marketing Manager (5-8 years): SAR 18,000-30,000 per month. The highest-demand bracket, particularly for managers with digital marketing expertise, Arabic content management capability, and multi-channel campaign experience. Vision 2030 entities and telecom companies pay at the upper end.

Senior Marketing Manager (8-12 years): SAR 28,000-42,000 per month. Senior roles at major Saudi corporations, Vision 2030 mega-projects, or regional agency accounts. Experience managing large teams and substantial budgets is essential at this level.

Marketing Director / Head of Marketing (12+ years): SAR 40,000-60,000+ per month. Director-level positions at STC, MBC, major government entities, or multinational regional headquarters. Packages often include housing allowance (SAR 8,000-15,000 monthly), annual flights, education allowances, and performance bonuses of 2-4 months' salary.

Riyadh marketing packages for expatriates typically include housing allowances (or company-provided accommodation), annual return flights, health insurance for the employee and dependents, and transportation allowances. Some employers also offer education allowances for children. Government and semi-government entities tend to offer the most comprehensive packages, while private sector companies increasingly offer consolidated salaries with fewer separate allowances.

Work Culture for Marketing Professionals in Riyadh

Working hours — the standard work week in Saudi Arabia is Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Most marketing teams work from 8:30 AM or 9 AM to 5:30 PM or 6 PM. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by two hours daily as mandated by Saudi labor law. Agency culture in Riyadh can involve extended hours during pitch periods and major campaign launches, though the pace is generally less intense than Dubai's agency scene.

Arabic-first communication — unlike Dubai's predominantly English business environment, Riyadh workplaces often operate in Arabic, particularly in Saudi-owned companies, government entities, and consumer-facing marketing teams. Internal meetings, client presentations, and day-to-day communication may be conducted in Arabic. Marketing managers who can operate comfortably in Arabic-language business environments have a significant advantage.

Saudization and team composition — the Nitaqat (Saudization) program requires companies to employ a minimum percentage of Saudi nationals. Marketing teams in Riyadh often include a mix of Saudi nationals and expatriates, with Saudi nationals increasingly filling senior leadership roles. Marketing managers should demonstrate experience working with and mentoring Saudi team members, as this is highly valued by employers.

Gender-mixed workplaces — Saudi Arabia's workforce has undergone rapid transformation, with female participation rates rising dramatically. Marketing teams in Riyadh are often gender-mixed, and many women hold leadership positions in marketing departments across agencies, tech companies, and government entities. This represents a significant shift from the pre-Vision 2030 era and has expanded the talent pool substantially.

Social and professional networking — Riyadh's marketing community has grown rapidly, with regular industry events, agency networking nights, and conferences becoming more common. The annual ArabNet Riyadh conference, LEAP tech conference (which includes marketing technology tracks), and Riyadh-based AdForum events provide networking opportunities. LinkedIn is the primary professional networking platform, though Twitter (X) plays an outsized role in Riyadh's professional discourse.

Key Industries Driving Marketing Demand in Riyadh

Entertainment and events — the most transformative sector for marketing in Riyadh, driven by the General Entertainment Authority and projects like Riyadh Season, Riyadh Boulevard, and the upcoming Qiddiya entertainment city. Marketing managers in this space work on event promotion, ticketing campaigns, experiential marketing, and international media relations for events that attract millions of attendees.

Telecommunications — STC, Mobily, and Zain KSA are three of the largest advertisers in Saudi Arabia. Their marketing teams manage brand campaigns, product launches, digital acquisition, loyalty programs, and sponsorship activations across multiple channels. Telecom marketing offers stability, scale, and exposure to sophisticated marketing technology stacks.

Tourism and hospitality — Saudi Arabia's tourism ambitions are creating enormous marketing demand. The Saudi Tourism Authority, Red Sea Global, AMAALA, and hotel operators opening new properties across the Kingdom all require marketing managers. This sector is expected to continue rapid growth through 2030 and beyond.

Retail and e-commerce — Saudi Arabia's retail market is the largest in the GCC. Companies like Jarir, Extra, SACO, and international retailers expanding in the Kingdom require marketing managers for both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce channels. Saudi e-commerce platforms like Noon KSA and regional entrants are investing heavily in digital marketing.

Mega-projects and real estate — NEOM, The Red Sea Development, Diriyah Gate, Roshn, and KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District) each have dedicated marketing and communications teams. These roles involve international brand building, investor relations marketing, and destination marketing for projects that are among the largest in the world.

Digital Marketing Landscape in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's digital landscape is among the most dynamic in the world, characterized by exceptionally high social media usage, rapid e-commerce adoption, and a young population (70% under 35) that is mobile-first and digitally fluent. Riyadh, as the capital and largest city, is at the center of this digital transformation.

Social media dominance — Saudi Arabia leads the world in per-capita YouTube consumption and is among the top markets globally for Twitter (X), Snapchat, and TikTok. Instagram is the primary platform for brand marketing and influencer campaigns. The overwhelming majority of social media consumption in Saudi Arabia is in Arabic, making Arabic-language content creation and community management essential skills for marketing managers in Riyadh.

Influencer marketing maturity — Saudi Arabia's influencer ecosystem is well-developed, with Saudi content creators commanding significant followings and advertising rates. The Saudi Ministry of Commerce regulates influencer advertising, requiring proper disclosure and licensing for commercial content. Marketing managers must navigate these regulations while building effective influencer partnerships. Saudi micro-influencers (10K-100K followers) are particularly effective for reaching niche audience segments.

E-commerce marketing growth — Saudi e-commerce has grown rapidly, with consumers increasingly comfortable purchasing online across all categories. Marketing managers with expertise in marketplace marketing (Noon, Amazon.sa), social commerce (Instagram Shopping, TikTok Shop), and D2C marketing are in strong demand. Performance marketing for e-commerce, including search engine marketing and dynamic product ads, is a high-growth specialization.

Marketing technology adoption — Riyadh companies are investing heavily in marketing technology stacks. Salesforce, HubSpot, and Oracle Marketing Cloud are widely adopted by larger companies. Data-driven marketing, customer journey mapping, and marketing attribution are increasingly expected competencies. The Saudi government's own digital services (Absher, Tawakkalna) have raised consumer expectations for digital experience quality, which spills over into brand marketing expectations.

Riyadh-Tailored Marketing Manager Resume Section

Professional Summary

Bilingual (Arabic/English) Marketing Manager with 6+ years of experience leading brand and digital marketing campaigns in the Saudi market. Currently based in Riyadh with a valid Saudi iqama. Specialized in Arabic-language digital marketing, social media strategy, and experiential event marketing aligned with Vision 2030 objectives. Managed SAR 8M+ annual marketing budgets for telecom and entertainment clients, delivering measurable growth in brand awareness, customer acquisition, and engagement. Experienced with Riyadh Season activations, Saudi National Day campaigns, and Ramadan marketing across all major Arabic social media platforms. Google Ads and Meta Blueprint certified with expertise in HubSpot CRM and GA4 analytics.

Work Experience

Marketing Manager — STC (Saudi Telecom Company) (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

February 2023 - Present

• Lead integrated marketing campaigns for STC's consumer segment across digital, social, TV, outdoor, and experiential channels, managing a team of 5 specialists and an annual budget of SAR 8M with 65% allocated to digital channels
• Planned and executed SAR 2.5M Riyadh Season 2025 sponsorship activation, coordinating on-ground experiential zones, social media content creation, and influencer partnerships that generated 85M impressions, 1.2M on-site visitor interactions, and 35,000 new STC app registrations
• Developed Arabic-first social media strategy across Twitter (X), Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, growing STC's combined Arabic social audience by 280,000 followers in 12 months and increasing engagement rate by 52% through culturally relevant Saudi content
• Led the Saudi National Day 2025 brand campaign, creating a viral Arabic-language video that achieved 22M views, 1.8M shares, and was recognized by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority as a standout brand contribution to national celebrations
• Implemented Salesforce Marketing Cloud for customer journey automation, building 30+ automated workflows for customer onboarding, upselling, and retention that contributed to a 15% reduction in customer churn and SAR 12M in incremental annual revenue

Senior Marketing Executive — MBC Group (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

July 2020 - January 2023

• Managed marketing campaigns for Shahid (MBC's streaming platform) across the Saudi market, executing subscriber acquisition campaigns across digital, social, and influencer channels with a monthly budget of SAR 500K
• Coordinated influencer partnerships with 40+ Saudi content creators per quarter, negotiating contracts, managing content approval workflows, and tracking campaign performance, achieving average campaign ROI of 3.8x and growing Shahid's Saudi subscriber base by 45% year-over-year
• Produced bilingual (Arabic/English) content strategy for MBC Group's corporate social media channels, publishing 150+ pieces of content monthly across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, maintaining brand consistency across Arabic and English audiences
• Led marketing for MBC's participation in Riyadh Season 2022, including branded experience zones, celebrity meet-and-greet activations, and cross-promotional campaigns with MBC programming, attracting 250,000+ visitors to MBC activation areas

Marketing Executive — Mobily (Etihad Etisalat) (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

September 2018 - June 2020

• Executed performance marketing campaigns across Google Ads and social media platforms with a monthly budget of SAR 800K, optimizing for app downloads, SIM activations, and plan upgrades across prepaid and postpaid segments
• Managed Mobily's Snapchat Discover channel and TikTok account, creating Arabic-language content that averaged 2M weekly views and positioned Mobily as the most-followed Saudi telecom brand on TikTok
• Coordinated Ramadan marketing campaigns for three consecutive years, managing 24/7 content calendars, influencer activations, and promotional offers that contributed to 25% increase in Ramadan-period SIM activations versus baseline