Belal Riyad
Fractional CPO | Product Management Leader | Startup Mentor & Advisor
📍 Doha, Qatar · Riyadh, KSA · Seattle, USA
Product & Technology Leader | SaaS | AI & Automation
I am a results-driven product leader with a passion for building scalable, customer-centric SaaS solutions that drive business growth and innovation. At Workday, I led next-gen mobile platform development, empowering 2,000+ developers globally, accelerating time to market by 60%, and maintaining a 4.7 app store rating.
Previously at Microsoft for 14+ years, I launched compliance-focused enterprise products, optimized team efficiency, and drove large-scale digital transformation. I thrive at the intersection of technology, customer experience, and business strategy, leveraging AI, automation, and data-driven execution to create high-impact solutions.
Professional Experience
Fractional Chief Product Officer
Audience Genomics October 2025 - PresentLeading product strategy and development for AI-driven audience insights platform.
Instructor & Startup Mentor
DIC & Orbit Venture — Riyadh, KSA 2025 - PresentTeaching and mentoring early-stage founders in Saudi Arabia at the Digital Incubation Center (DIC) and Orbit Venture in Riyadh. Delivering hands-on cohort training covering:
- Product management fundamentals and customer-centric discovery
- MVP scoping, rapid prototyping, and validation with real users
- Go-to-market strategy, pricing, and early-stage growth playbooks
- AI & automation patterns for lean product teams
- Pitching, investor-readiness, and KPI frameworks for traction
Startup Mentor
Orbit Startups & Digital Incubation Center — Doha, Qatar 2025 - PresentMentoring early-stage startups at Orbit Startups (global VC) and the Digital Incubation Center in Doha, Qatar. Helping founders with product planning, go-to-market strategy, MVP development, and customer success roadmaps through virtual and on-site training sessions.
Director of Product Management
Workday May 2023 - January 2025 · 1 year 9 months- Led high-performing team of product managers and engineers to drive scalable and innovative SaaS solutions
- Empowered 2,000+ developers globally with cutting-edge mobile platform solutions, reducing time to market by 60%
- Deeply understood market trends and SMB needs to drive strategic product decisions, resulting in a 4.7 app store rating
- Developed next-generation mobile platform capabilities for enterprise customers
Principal Product Manager
Microsoft January 2018 - May 2023 · 5 years 5 months- Led cross-functional teams to launch compliance-focused enterprise products, optimizing execution efficiency
- Implemented robust project estimation, tracking, and scheduling methodologies
- Applied risk management frameworks to ensure successful product launches and regulatory alignment
Senior Technical Program Manager
Microsoft January 2014 - January 2018 · 4 years- Led team of 7 software engineers delivering key projects on time
- Owned integration of Skype into Microsoft's international build infrastructure post-acquisition
- Managed relationships with three translation vendor agencies for Arabic and Hebrew markets
- Engaged with international customers and product managers to collect requirements for local market features
Program Manager
Microsoft January 2009 - January 2014 · 5 yearsLaunched and managed multiple product initiatives across Windows and Office divisions.
General Manager
CHECKGATEWAY, INC August 2007 - August 2008 · 1 year- Led IT department team of 5 software engineers during critical growth phase, resulting in 30% revenue increase
- Successfully led PCI-DSS certification process, enabling new business streams
- Redesigned core business components with focus on security and customer privacy
Early Career Roles
Honeywell, Intel, Cisco 2004 - 2007Software Engineer at Honeywell Aerospace, Project Manager at Intel Corporation, Program Manager at Cisco Systems.
Education
Executive MBA
Quantic School of Business and Technology
January 2023 - March 2024
Master of Science - Computer Software Engineering
University of Advancing Technology
2003 - 2006
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Al Ahliyya Amman University
1998 - 2002
Certifications & Skills
✓ Scrum Master Certificate of Proficiency
✓ Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy (MIT)
✓ Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 5 Web Services Developer
Top Skills
Languages
Arabic: Native or Bilingual
English: Native or Bilingual
Honors & Awards
High Performance Award
Microsoft
High Performance Award
Microsoft
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