Director, Middle East Government Affairs

Location: KSA
This role is based in the KSA and will only consider candidates already based or willing to relocate in the KSA

Job Details

We are looking for a government affairs professional based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to join Salesforce’s EMEA Government Affairs team. The Middle-East Government Affairs Director will report to the Head of EMEA Government Affairs. Salesforce's global government affairs team is a diverse group of dedicated (and fun!) professionals who lead the company’s engagement with government officials, legislators, regulators, and other political stakeholders, shaping the company’s positions on public policy. The Middle-East Government Affairs Director will be responsible for building and expanding Salesforce’s interaction with national and sub-national government officials and partners throughout the Middle East region. The role will ensure that Salesforce is recognized as the #1 CRM AI Enterprise by both private and public sector entities and as a trusted strategic partner to help build and deliver their digitalization strategy.

Responsibilities

• Government Relations Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy in close coordination with the region’s business leaders that aligns with Salesforce’s business objectives in the Middle East, including enhanced relationships with senior government officials in priority Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) member states.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key government officials, policymakers, and industry associations to advocate for Salesforce’s interests. Ensure Salesforce is represented in relevant forums to share our vision on key discussions, including the future of work.

• Policy Discussions: Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments that could impact Salesforce’s operations in the region. Provide strategic advice to senior management on potential risks and opportunities. Represent Salesforce in meetings with government officials, industry peers, and at industry events. Advocate for policies that support the growth and innovation of the tech sector.

• Compliance: In collaboration with internal partners, ensure that Salesforce’s activities in the region comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Provide guidance on compliance issues to internal stakeholders.

• Values: Contribute to the development of Salesforce’s Impact Program and our 1-1-1 model in countries in the Middle East.

• Internal Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams, including legal, public relations, and business units, to ensure a coordinated approach to government and external affairs. Act as a strategic partner to senior stakeholders by providing counsel on public policy, geopolitical topics, and cultural context.

Minimum qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant work experience in government, industry, consulting, think-tank, or similar, focused on policy or political work, preferably technology-related.

• Active network of senior government contacts in key Middle East countries, particularly member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

• Ability to write and speak fluently in English and Arabic.

• In-depth knowledge of the local business and political environments.

• Good understanding of tech policy issues, including privacy, security, AI, data, and trade.

• Willingness to continuously learn about the ever-evolving technology landscape.

• Embracing Salesforce’s values of trust, customer success, innovation, and equality.

Preferred qualifications

• Highly motivated self-starter; results-oriented, with the ability to work independently, yet collaborating 100% with the team. Service-minded, reliable, rigorous.

• Good political, analytical and communication skills, with high attention to detail.

• Experience working with or in multi-national corporations.

• Able to work with colleagues across departments and organizations and across different time zones.

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize, while remembering to enjoy the job!

• Able to conceptualize new approaches to public policy and advocacy.

• Keen to work in an international environment and travel across the Middle-East region.