Authorities Liaison Manager

U+A; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in Dubai is seeking an experienced professional to manage regulatory approvals and support project submissions to local authorities. The ideal candidate will have at least 12 years of experience in authority liaison roles and a Bachelor's degree in engineering or related fields. Responsibilities include overseeing technical documentation, ensuring compliance with building codes, and fostering relationships with government officials. Strong communication skills and knowledge of local workflows are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 12 to 15+ years of specialized experience in authority liaison roles within the UAE or GCC.
• Strong knowledge of NOC requirements and submission portals.
• In-depth knowledge of building codes and zoning laws.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary point of contact for local authorities.
• Lead the submission and tracking of technical documentation.
• Ensure all project submissions comply with applicable standards.

Skills

Knowledge of local authority approval workflows

Communication skills

Negotiation & Diplomacy

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Business Management

Job description

Job Description

• Strategic Regulatory Interface: Act as the primary point of contact and official representative for the consultancy with local authorities such as Dubai Municipality (DM), DDA, Trakhees, and utility providers like DEWA and RTA.
• Full Approval Cycle Management: Lead the submission and tracking of technical documentation from Concept Design through to the Building Completion Certificate (BCC), including obtaining all necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
• Permit & Approval Management: Undertake a QA/QC review of statutory submissions and coordinate the timely submission of architectural and engineering drawings, following up on statuses to resolve issues or technical rejections.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all project submissions comply with the applicable standards, legislation, local building codes, land‑use policies (e.g., DDA or Tarakhees), and the latest authority standards.
• Team Leadership: Supervise a team of designers or coordinators to ensure submission packages are prepared according to specific authority checklists and software portal requirements (e.g., Dubai BPS or TAMM).
• Risk Mitigation & Advisory: Identify potential compliance risks early in the design phase and advise internal project managers and senior management on strategies to resolve technical rejections or authority comments.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise between internal design teams, external consultants, and client representatives to ensure authority comments are accurately addressed in project revisions.
• Reporting & Tracking: Maintain detailed logs of approval statuses and review timelines, providing regular updates to senior management on potential risks or delays.
• Relationship Management:
  • Proactively build and maintain strong professional relationships with government officials to facilitate smoother project execution and faster resolutions.
  • Cultivate professional networks with government officials and master developers to facilitate faster processing and stay updated on evolving regulations.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Business Management, or a related field.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of local authority approval workflows, NOC requirements, and experience with submission portals (e.g., Dubai Building Permit System).
• In-depth knowledge of building codes, zoning laws, and architectural standards.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in corporate environment and with diverse teams.

Soft Skills:

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills in English; Arabic proficiency is often mandatory for direct authority interaction.
• Negotiation & Diplomacy: Ability to negotiate complex technical requirements with officials while maintaining the firm's reputation.
• Problem‑Solving: Proactive approach to identifying communication "silos" and resolving conflicts between project stakeholders.

Experience:

• Typically, 12 to 15+ years of specialized experience in authority liaison roles within the UAE or GCC consultant and construction sector.