Authority Relations Manager
Position Overview
The Authority Relations Manager is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with relevant government authorities, regulatory bodies, and municipalities within the UAE. The role ensures that the companys projects, operations, and documentation comply with local regulations, while facilitating approvals, permits, and licenses in a timely manner.
Key Responsibilities
- Government Liaison & Compliance
- Serve as the primary point of contact between the company and UAE government entities (municipalities, free zones, DDA, RTA, Civil Defense, DEWA, ADDC, TRA, etc.).
- Monitor, interpret, and implement new laws, regulations, and government initiatives that may affect business operations.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant UAE federal and emirate-level laws and regulations.
- Approvals & Permits
- Manage end-to-end processes of obtaining approvals, permits, NOCs, licenses, and renewals required for company projects or operations.
- Liaise with authorities to resolve disputes, delays, or compliance concerns.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong networks with key decision-makers within government and semi-government organizations.
- Represent the company in official meetings, inspections, and authority visits.
- Advisory & Support
- Advise senior management and project teams on regulatory requirements and strategies for approvals.
- Provide regular updates and reports on authority interactions, regulatory changes, and potential impacts on projects.
- Documentation & Reporting
- Oversee the preparation and submission of accurate documentation to authorities.
- Maintain records of all permits, approvals, and government correspondence.
- Strategic Contribution
- Support business development by facilitating smooth project execution through authority relations.
- Contribute to risk management by anticipating regulatory issues and recommending solutions.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Bachelors degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
- A Masters degree (MBA or equivalent) is an advantage.
Experience
- 10-15 years of relevant experience, with at least 10 years in the UAE in a government liaison, authority relations, or regulatory affairs role.
- Proven track record of handling approvals, permits, and compliance with UAE authorities.
- Industry-specific experience (construction/ consultancy, real estate, & etc.) may be required.
Skills
- Strong knowledge of UAE laws, government processes, and regulatory frameworks.
- Excellent networking and relationship-building skills with UAE government officials.
- Strong communication skills in English and Arabic (Arabic is highly preferred).
- Negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple authority requirements simultaneously.
- High attention to detail in documentation and compliance matters.
- Proficiency in MS Office and digital government portals (DubaiNow, Abu Dhabi TAMM, DDA, etc.).
Other Requirements
- High cultural awareness and sensitivity to UAE traditions and government protocols.
- Professional appearance and demeanor suitable for representing the company to officials.
- can join 'IMMEDIATELY'
- preferablye in UAE
