Career positioning · Specialist recruitment
Kaleem Chaudry
Career positioning for senior professionals. Specialist recruitment for data, technology and financial services roles in the GCC.
About
Two sides of the hiring table.
I have spent over 25 years in data and financial services at JP Morgan, UBS and ADIA, where I built and led data teams, including three teams totalling 17 data professionals at ADIA. I have hired senior people, and I have been assessed as a senior candidate.
In 2021 I co-founded DGTL Partners, a specialist talent and advisory firm for data, analytics and AI, and ran it until 2025. Today I am Head of Growth and Strategic Advisor at Calimala, an AI-native GCC talent firm.
That gives me a clear view of how senior people are read, shortlisted and hired in the GCC. I use it in two separate ways, set out below.
Career coaching
For senior professionals: see where you stand before you change anything.
For senior professionals who sense their market position no longer matches their track record. It starts with a free assessment, not a sales call.
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Free
The Benchmark
The Senior Career Positioning Benchmark: 16 questions across four pillars, Positioning & Narrative, Market Visibility, Proof & Credibility, and Market Leverage & Direction. About 4 minutes. It shows where your positioning holds, where it leaks, and what to address first.
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By invitation
The Debrief
20-minute Career Positioning Debrief. We review your Benchmark result, your weakest pillar and your next move, and decide whether the eight-week programme is the right fit. This is not a recruitment consultation, vacancy search, CV review or free strategy session.
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Eight weeks
The Programme
An eight-week, done-with-you career repositioning programme for senior professionals.
The Benchmark opens shortly. To hear when it is live, email hello@kaleemchaudry.com.
Free · 16 questions · About 4 minutes
For hiring clients and candidates
Specialist recruitment: senior roles in data, technology and financial services.
I recruit for senior roles in financial services, banking, data and technology across the GCC.
Since 2021 I have placed candidates in data, analytics, AI and product roles, from senior technical specialists to Director level. My clients range from financial services, technology and telecoms to blockchain infrastructure and AI healthcare, and include international firms building teams in the GCC.
Having built and led data teams myself, I know what a hiring manager needs to see, and I assess candidates the same way.
Hiring? I take on a small number of senior searches in data, technology and financial services across the GCC. Email hello@kaleemchaudry.com with a short note on the role.
Considering a move? Every conversation is confidential, and your details are never shared with an employer without your agreement. Email hello@kaleemchaudry.com with your LinkedIn profile or CV.
What people say
Kaleem provided exceptional support in refining my professional profile. He dedicated hours to understanding my achievements and helping me clearly showcase my skills. Kaleem's dedication, expertise, and willingness to go the extra mile were evident throughout the process. I'm incredibly grateful for his support and highly recommend him to anyone looking to elevate their professional profile or career prospects.
I was lucky enough to work with Kaleem at the start of my time here in the UAE (9 years ago) and he has played a key role in my career development since. His knowledge, diligence and professionalism is unquestionable, but more so he is a 'people person' - someone you can talk to easily, and can trust to help guide your way.
Kaleem is a standout professional whose talents span thought leadership, career development, and creative problem-solving. He's a natural motivator with a gift for recognizing and nurturing talent, providing opportunities for growth and development.
Free guides
For senior data and AI professionals in the GCC.
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01
How Senior Data and AI Roles Are Really Filled in the GCC
What happens before a senior role is advertised, who decides, and why strong candidates are never found.
Read the guide (PDF) -
02
Builder or Steward? How Senior Data Leaders Are Read
Why strong careers are read the wrong way, and what that reading costs senior data and AI professionals in the GCC.
Read the guide (PDF) -
03
Responsibilities or Results? How Senior Evidence Is Read
Why strong senior records look less proven than they are, and what that costs senior data and AI professionals in the GCC.
Read the guide (PDF) -
04
Choice or Circumstance? How Senior Moves Are Really Made
Why some senior professionals move on their own terms, and others wait for the market to decide for them.
Read the guide (PDF)