Government & Regulatory Affairs Professional, UAE

A keen understanding of government relationships in the Kingdom and how to navigate them successfully are critical given the strong emphasis placed on an overall strategic approach to public policy and government affairs. While relationship with government leaders is key it’s is also important that the candidate be able to develop and grow relationships with other companies and trade associations in the region.

The GRA Executive for UAE will work with the Country General Manager the Consulting Leader Legal Communications and other colleagues in the global Government and Regulatory Affairs organization to develop and implement the company’s strategies as they relate to issues including but not limited to: tax and corporate governance; market access and trade; workforce flexibility; technology policy and intellectual property; healthcare and environmental affairs; and public sector spending plans in areas such as AI cloud and quantum sustainability and energy cybersecurity and other procurement areas. In addition S/he will be responsible for driving policy alignment with company’s key objectives and partnership strategy.

The position will report to the Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs Middle East and will have strong functional guidance from in country legal counsel. S/He will be a key advisor to the company’s country leadership team and will be expected to consult with and advise members of senior management on all governmental programs matters to ensure alignment of company goals and objectives. Significant business and stakeholder relationship experience is critical as well as the ability to build effective external and internal relationship networks.

An understanding of the IT industry would be an important plus; however deep functional experience in global public policy with proven relationships and coalition building skills is considered essential. Strong analytical skills and in-depth understanding of decision-making mechanisms of the Emirati government and public policy settings are also of great importance of the success for this role.

Additionally the Executive Government and Regulatory Affairs will:
– Act as a key external messenger who can effectively translate and communicate the direction of the company and its strategy to external stakeholders in government and the corporate community.
– Oversee the creation and execution of government relations strategies and programs to ensure access to policy makers and influential persons such that resulting government actions are aligned with company goals.
– Provide thought leadership in key public policy areas.
– Develop appropriate policy issues to help set the agenda and shape future events.
– Devise and implement an aggressive and pro-active strategic plan for successfully achieving specific results that are locally relevant in the Country while remaining globally consistent with the company’s business strategy.
– Contribute to company’s overall global government affairs strategy; provide context on how the Country fits into both the Gulf and global landscape.
– Collaborate with corporate functions and business units to analyze and manage political risk in the Country; this covers new projects and scenarios as well as existing and ongoing programs.
– Effectively position the company as world-class with high integrity competitive and sustained performance and as a valued partner.
– Establish and maintain high-level contacts with a wide variety of industry and nonindustrial individuals and groups who are in a position to compel/promote public community and government actions favorable to the company; work closely with senior management to assist in the development of those policy positions and relationships that increase the profile of the company in support of the company’s business objectives customer initiatives and reputation.
– Maintain strong communications between the various line units functions and the Country General Manager.
– Serve as a trusted advisor and spokesperson for the company in UAE.