Government Relations Manager

The individual will be a highly motivated and experienced Emirati national responsible for overseeing all interactions between our organization and UAE government entities. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring in-depth knowledge of UAE regulations, particularly labor law and licensing requirements. The manager will be a key resource for the organization, ensuring full compliance and proactive engagement with government stakeholders. The individual will drive a shift from transactional to proactive service delivery, including digitizing and optimizing processes.

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Strategic Government Engagement

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy aligned with company objectives.
• Proactively identify and build relationships with key government stakeholders and regulatory bodies at both federal and local levels, including all relevant ministries, departments, and free zone authorities.
• Represent the organization in all official government meetings, committees, and forums.
• Monitor and analyze new legislative and regulatory developments, providing strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Maintain a strong network of contacts within various government departments.

2. Labor Law & Compliance

• Serve as the internal subject matter expert on UAE Labour Law and Immigration procedures.
• Ensure full organizational compliance with all labor regulations, policies, and decrees.
• Oversee all labor and immigration-related documentation and processes, including visa applications, labor contracts, work permits, and residency permits for new and existing employees.
• Provide guidance to HR and management on employee relations, disciplinary actions, and termination procedures in accordance with UAE Labour Law.
• Manage and resolve any labor disputes with government authorities.

3. Licensing & Regulatory Affairs

• Oversee all company licensing, renewals, amendments, and approvals from various government bodies.
• Manage the end-to-end process for obtaining and maintaining all necessary permits and certifications for business operations.
• Ensure timely submission of all required documentation to avoid penalties.
• Maintain a complete and current repository of all licenses and regulatory documents.

4. Systems & Operations Management

• Directly manage and utilize all relevant government online portals and systems, including but not limited to ICP, Tasheel, Amer, Dubai Now, and various Free Zone portals.
• Implement efficient internal processes for managing government relations tasks and document flow.
• Evaluate and recommend new software or tools to improve department efficiency.

5. Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the government relations team.
• Foster a proactive and collaborative team environment.
• Delegate tasks effectively and provide constructive feedback.

6. Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular reports to senior management on all government relations activities, successes, and challenges.
• Communicate effectively and coordinate with internal departments (HR, Legal, Finance) on all government-related matters.
• Draft and review official correspondence and applications for government submission.