IE University Signs Strategic Partnership with Strategic Gears at IE Tower in Madrid

IE Talent & Careers has launched a new strategic partnership with Strategic Gears, one of the Middle East’s leading management consulting firms. The collaboration opens new opportunities for IE students and alumni across talent development, recruitment pathways, academic collaboration, and industry-focused research.

Strategic Gears plays a key role in the region. Not only was the first Saudi consulting firm to provide services to other governments and organizations outside of Saudi Arabia, but it has also been a first mover in expanding beyond the region by opening an office in London, and now also in Madrid, from where they plan to grow across the European Union.

"IE students have already joined Strategic Gears as interns, and now there are IE alumni working at the firm. For us, it is especially exciting to formalize a partnership with a company that shares so many of IE’s values, diversity, entrepreneurship, innovation, and an agile approach to consulting, and that is actively contributing to the Vision 2030 transformation of Saudi Arabia," said IE University Vice President Ines Drieselmann.

The agreement was signed in Madrid during a meeting between representatives from IE University and Strategic Gears at the IE Tower. The delegation from Strategic Gears included Delgado, who also teaches at IE and is an IE University Alumni, along with senior members of the firm’s leadership team. Representing IE University was Ines Drieselmann, Vice President of Global Alumni and Talent & Careers.

"The partnership between IE Business School and Strategic Gears is not a coincidence. Both organizations share not only key common values, as Ines mentioned, but we both put Learning and Thought Leadership at the core of our strategic priorities," said Alqahtani.

"IE Business School is a key partner for us at Strategic Gears, not only in Spain, but across all our offices. Two factors are critical in my opinion: being one of the world's top-ranked business schools, plenty of talent from all around the world, plus the deep understanding and commitment of the Institution to KSA and the broader region," said Delgado.

The partnership establishes a long-term framework to strengthen Strategic Gears’ engagement with the IE ecosystem through initiatives spanning talent acquisition, leadership development, corporate education, applied research, and mentorship programs. As part of the agreement, Strategic Gears commits to offering internships and full-time opportunities for IE students and alumni across undergraduate, masters, MBA, and senior professional levels.

IE Talent & Careers will provide Strategic Gears with priority access to recruiting events, tailored talent recommendations, and integration into the Young Corporate Program, enabling undergraduate students to engage in mentoring, shadowing, and early-career experiences.

Beyond recruitment, both institutions will collaborate on industry labs, applied research projects, and innovation-driven initiatives led by IE faculty and students. Strategic Gears will also engage in student-facing activities, including speaker sessions, case competitions, hackathons, and thought-leadership seminars at IE Tower.

"This partnership gives our students what truly matters: access, experience, and a direct pathway into one of the most dynamic consulting firms driving transformation across the region," said Drieselmann.

The agreement reflects IE University’s broader mission to build meaningful partnerships with global organizations, fostering an environment where students can apply their skills to real-world challenges in management, public policy, sustainability, technology, and innovation.

Following the signing ceremony, both teams met with IE students to discuss upcoming collaboration opportunities and the roadmap for activation during the 2025 academic year.

This partnership reinforces IE University’s commitment to connecting students with global employers and expanding opportunities that advance innovation, professional development, and impact-driven leadership worldwide.