Director of Government Relations (UAEN)

Job Purpose

The Director – Government Relations is responsible for leading and shaping e7 Group's relationships with federal and local government entities, regulatory authorities, and strategic stakeholders across the UAE. The role serves as the Group's principal interface with government bodies, ensuring full regulatory compliance, securing strategic approvals, and positioning e7 Group as a trusted national partner aligned with UAE leadership priorities and the country's long-term economic vision.

Key Accountabilities

1. Strategic Government Relations & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and execute e7 Group's Government Relations strategy, aligned with the Group's corporate strategy, growth ambitions, and shareholder priorities.
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with federal and local government entities and other key authorities and shareholders.
• Serve as the Group's principal point of contact for senior government stakeholders, royal offices, and regulatory bodies, representing e7 Group at high-level meetings, official engagements, and national forums.
• Anticipate and assess the impact of regulatory, policy, and geopolitical developments on e7 Group's businesses, providing strategic counsel to the GCEO, Board, and Executive Committee.

2. Regulatory Compliance & Government Approvals

• Lead the Group's engagement with regulatory authorities to secure licenses, permits, approvals, and exemptions required for business operations and strategic initiatives across all e7 Group entities.
• Oversee the timely renewal and maintenance of all trade licenses, commercial registrations, immigration files, and establishment cards across the Group.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE federal and local laws, labor regulations, immigration, customs, and security requirements, mitigating regulatory and reputational risks.

3. Government Affairs Advisory & Policy Intelligence

• Provide strategic advice to the GCEO, Board, and ExCom on government affairs, public policy, and regulatory matters impacting e7 Group's strategic agenda.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, policy, and economic developments at federal and emirate level, providing timely intelligence and recommended actions to leadership.
• Represent e7 Group's position in policy consultations, industry working groups, and government-led task forces, ensuring the Group's interests are appropriately represented.

4. Strategic Projects, Shareholder & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead Government Relations input into strategic projects, M&A activity, joint ventures, and new market entries, ensuring regulatory considerations are addressed from inception.
• Support engagement with Group shareholders, sovereign entities, and government-related entities (GREs), ensuring alignment with shareholder priorities and reporting requirements.
• Partner with Corporate Communications and Marketing to ensure the Group's external messaging, official correspondence, and public positioning are aligned with government expectations and protocol.
• Manage the Group's representation at high-profile national events, exhibitions, and state visits (e.g., GITEX, IDEX, UAE National Day, government summits).

5. Functional Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Government Relations team, including PROs, specialists, and coordinators, fostering a high-performance and service-oriented culture.
• Establish and oversee policies, procedures, SLAs, and KPIs for the Government Relations function, ensuring operational excellence and audit readiness.
• Manage the function's annual budget, vendor relationships (e.g., typing centers, legal translators, consultants), and operational expenditures.
• Drive digitization and process improvement within the function, including automation of PRO workflows and integration with HR, Legal, and Compliance sy