Principal Consultant & Client Partner

Mastercard; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A global payments technology company based in Dubai is seeking a Principal Consultant and Client Partner. This senior leadership role integrates strategic consulting, business development, and delivery oversight. The successful candidate will own client relationships, drive revenue growth, and manage complex engagements. Ideal applicants should have over 12 years in strategy consulting firms, proven account management skills, and a strong educational background such as an MBA. The role emphasizes collaboration across departments and requires strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in top tier strategy consulting firms, and strategic account management.
• Proven track record of managing large accounts and delivering complex transformation programs.
• Deep understanding of Mastercard Advisors’ value propositions and data-driven solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute account level sales strategies with direct revenue accountability.
• Oversee delivery of consulting and transformation engagements, ensuring quality and client satisfaction.
• Build, coach, and lead high-performing teams focused on client success and revenue growth.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Analytical capabilities

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

MBA or Master’s degree

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

AI tools

Job description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Principal Consultant and Client Partner, Advisors & Consulting Services

About the job

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Overview

The Principal and Client Partner is a senior leadership role that integrates strategic consulting, business development, and delivery oversight. This role is responsible for owning client relationships end-to-end, driving revenue growth, and ensuring successful execution of engagements. Acting as a trusted advisor to clients and a cross-functional leader within Mastercard, the Client Partner plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering impactful solutions across industries.

Role

Sales & Business Development

• Develop and execute account level sales strategies with direct revenue accountability.
• Drive pipeline generation, lead proposal development, and close complex deals.
• Build and monetize senior client relationships through thought leadership and subject matter expertise.
• Serve as the face of Mastercard Services to senior stakeholders, including C‑suite executives.
• Partner with product and platform teams to align client needs with Mastercard’s innovation roadmap.

Consulting & Strategy Leadership

• Lead and provide oversight to complex client engagements across functions within a bank, applying structured problem-solving and strategic thinking.
• Translate client objectives into actionable strategies and data‑driven solutions.
• Guide teams in developing high‑impact recommendations using Mastercard’s proprietary data and platforms.
• Serve as a trusted business advisor, generating enthusiasm for Mastercard’s insights and capabilities.

Delivery Oversight & Client Success

• Oversee delivery of consulting and transformation engagements, ensuring quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
• Act as the escalation point for delivery challenges and proactively manage risks.
• Collaborate with delivery leads and project teams to ensure seamless execution and alignment with client goals.
• Partner with Finance and internal stakeholders to actively track delivery progress and revenue realization.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Build, coach, and lead high‑performing teams focused on client success and revenue growth.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment across sales, delivery, product, and finance functions.
• Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead on‑the‑job training, mentorship, and capability development across the team.

All About You Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of experience in top tier strategy consulting firms, and strategic account management.
• Proven track record of managing large accounts and delivering complex transformation programs.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with experience in large deal structuring.
• Deep understanding of Mastercard Advisors’ value propositions and data‑driven solutions.
• Experience in financial services or payments industry preferred.
• Demonstrated success in revenue management and P&L ownership.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and AI tools.

Preferred Skills

• MBA or Master’s degree.
• Experience leading senior client relationships and managing cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to navigate matrixed environments and drive cross‑functional alignment.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with ability to present to senior audiences.
• Strategic planning and succession planning experience.

Corporate Security Responsibility

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.