Associate Partner, Investor Relations

About the Company

IP Excellera is a leading integrated strategic advisory business offering expertise across Strategic Communications, Capital Markets and Investor Relations, as well as Corporate Reporting and Sustainability. With offices in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Dubai, the firm advises some of the Middle East’s most prominent organisations. Its team of 60 highly experienced consultants comes from top financial, government and academic backgrounds, enabling the company to deliver robust advice that helps clients manage risk, reputation and change. The firm works with public and private sector clients and supports more than 100 corporate customers with a combined market value of over $3 trillion. In 2025, IP Excellera became part of Excellera Advisory Group, a major corporate affairs advisory group across EMEA.

Role Summary

The Associate Partner will work closely with Partners and Managing Partners to strengthen client relationships and help build new business. The position is responsible for managing a portfolio that brings in approximately $1 million in annual revenue through a combination of retained accounts and project work. The role combines senior client service, account leadership, business development, and people management.

Client Relationship Leadership

• Maintain a strong and trusted relationship with senior client stakeholders.
• Advise on client programmes and take accountability for strategy execution.
• Become the primary day-to-day contact for delivery matters.
• Handle client issues directly and involve senior leaders when escalation is required.
• Track client strategy and adjust the approach when needed.

Account Management

• Own the full client workstream, from proposal development through to programme delivery.
• Guide the account team to ensure plans are delivered successfully.
• Review all client-facing materials to make sure they meet the highest quality standards.
• Support the development and learning of junior team members.

Business Development

• Create new opportunities through personal contacts and networking activities.
• Grow relationships with referrers and other business introducers.
• Help draft customised proposals for potential new clients.
• Play a key supporting role in pitches for new business.

People and Team Management

• Manage junior team members directly, including performance appraisals.
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues with practical and constructive guidance.
• Identify learning and development needs across the team.

Investor Relations Responsibilities

This role requires senior leadership across outsourced investor relations workstreams, not only delivery. The Associate Partner will act as the main client-facing lead for IR activity, including:

• Managing investor relations activity for clients.
• Shaping IR strategy together with the client.
• Ensuring the IR toolkit remains effective, including regulatory announcements and communication materials.
• Supporting quarterly results processes, including preparation of presentations and supporting documents.
• Tracking analyst forecasts and comparing them with the client’s own outlook to help shape market expectations.
• Reviewing analyst reports on clients and peers and flagging key points for executive discussion.
• Preparing for and attending meetings with clients, brokers, and financial advisers.
• Producing board-level investor relations reports on the IR function and market sentiment.
• Leading debt capital market IR programmes where relevant.
• Advising on and coordinating Capital Markets Days.
• Representing clients at external stakeholder events such as investor conferences, conference calls, and roadshows.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate should bring knowledge of GCC financial and investment markets, with familiarity with DFM, ADX and/or Tadawul preferred. Experience in Capital Markets, Corporate IR, or Financial Media management is important. Strong communication skills, the ability to build relationships, a proactive and independent working style, and the judgment to handle confidential matters with care are essential. Accuracy, consistency, and quick turnaround on tasks are also critical. Travel flexibility is required, and spoken and written Arabic would be an added advantage.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is required, along with a commitment to pursue CIRO or CFA. Prior communications experience, whether gained in-house or through a consultancy, would be beneficial.

Additional Notes

The role is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is a full-time onsite position.