Associate Partner, Head of MENA

LvlUp Ventures LLC; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

LvlUp Ventures is a global venture capital firm seeking an Associate Partner, Head of MENA to drive investments and ecosystem-building across the Middle East and North Africa. Based in Dubai, this contract role offers remote or hybrid work and travel across the region as needed.

The ideal candidate combines VC/investment experience with a strategic mindset, strong leadership, and ownership in growth initiatives, while engaging founders, co-investors, and corporate partners to scale LvlUp’s

Qualifications

• Venture capital or startup investing experience with a strong MENA track record.
• Deep understanding of MENA startup ecosystems, dynamic markets, and regulatory environments related to technology/high growth.
• Proven ability to source, assess, and structure deals.
• Creative thinker with strong operational ownership.
• Excellent relationship-building with founders, partners, and investors.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills for public and private discussions.

Responsibilities

• Lead investment and ecosystem-building across the MENA region.
• Source, evaluate, and lead due diligence and deal execution.
• Manage relationships with founders, co-investors, and regional stakeholders.
• Represent LvlUp at industry events and mentor founders; coordinate with global teams.
• Drive revenue through sponsorships and partnerships.

Skills

Venture capital experience

MENA region track record

Deal sourcing & structuring

Cross-functional leadership

Relationship building

Negotiation skills

Excellent communication

Ownership mindset

English fluency

Arabic language a plus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance/Economics or related; MBA advantageous

Job description

LvlUp Ventures is a global venture capital firm that invests in and accelerates both early-stage and late-stage startups across sectors and geographies. Ranked among the most active VC firms worldwide, LvlUp holds top positions globally and in the United States, with particular strength in enterprise & consumer goods and technology.

The firm follows an opportunistic investment approach, backing founders where its capital, operational expertise, and strategic partnerships can drive meaningful growth.

Beyond funding, LvlUp serves as an extended team to founders, offering hands-on growth and fundraising support and access to a robust network of corporate partners.

Role Description

The Associate Partner, Head of MENA is a contract role responsible for leading LvlUp Ventures’ investment and ecosystem-building activities across the Middle East and North Africa. Based in Dubai in a remote or hybrid arrangement, this role is responsibe for the growth of LvlUp’s newly launched MENA arm.

The ideal candidate is highly motivated, creative, a strategic thinker, excellent operator, and passionate manager.

This position combines day-to-day responsibilities including creating, spearheading, and executing strategies to propel LvlUp’s growth to become the most active VC firm in the MENA region, to sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, leading due diligence and deal execution, and managing relationships with founders, co-investors, and regional stakeholders, to driving revenue through sponsorships and partnerships.

The Associate Partner will represent LvlUp at industry events, mentor founders, and coordinate closely with global teams to align regional initiatives with firm-wide objectives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in venture capital, private equity, or startup investing, with a strong track record in the MENA region.
• Deep understanding of MENA startup ecosystems, regional market dynamics, and regulatory environments relevant to technology and high-growth companies.
• Proven ability to source, assess, and structure deals
• Deeply creative thinker and operator
• Passion for spearheading growth and having true ownership in a project
• Strong relationship-building skills with founders, corporate partners, family offices, and institutional investors.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, managing complex stakeholder environments, and driving strategic growth programs.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to represent the firm publicly and in high-stakes commercial discussions.
• Comfort working in a hybrid setting in Dubai, with the flexibility to travel across the MENA region and internationally as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field; an advanced degree (e.g., MBA) is advantageous.
• Fluency in English; Arabic language skills or other regional languages are a plus.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, integrity, and a strong commitment to supporting diverse founders in building category-defining companies.

Compensation

This full time role will consist of a competitive base salary + discretionary bonus or profit sharing - making you a true owner in the success of LvlUp in the MENA region. This is a contractor role without health insurance or other benefits.