Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, MENA

Google; Dubai; On-site; AED 440,000 - 662,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Dubai is seeking a Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy to manage campaigns and initiatives across the MENA region. The ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of experience in government, politics, or public advocacy, and possess strong operational leadership skills. This role requires collaboration with company leadership and the establishment of key relationships to influence public discourse on technology issues. This position emphasizes commitment to equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• 15 years of experience in government, politics, or public advocacy in the MENA region.
• Experience with relevant institutions and policy‑makers.
• Demonstrated success in the private sector.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to drive policy priorities in the MENA region.
• Manage company positioning on key interests.
• Establish and maintain relationships with allies.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and track potential threats.
• Develop and coordinate campaigns across teams.

Skills

Government advocacy

Policy-making

Operational leadership

Management

Technology expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, MENA

Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 15 years of experience in government, politics, or public advocacy in the MENA region.
• Experience with relevant institutions and policy‑makers.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with operational leadership and management.
• Experience with technology.
• Demonstrated success in the private sector.
• Record of operating with an informed and pragmatic perspective.
• Proven reputation and stature to represent Google on the global stage, coupled with a practical, egalitarian, team‑oriented focus on getting things done.

About the job

As a member of Google's Government Affairs and Public Policy team, you will be part of a diverse global government affairs team, working across regions, product areas, and functions. You'll manage campaigns, projects and initiatives. In this role, you'll advocate for Google externally, and bring external perspectives back into the company to inform our perception and direction. You're passionate about the opportunity to shape the future of how we use and build technology for everyone.

Google takes its responsibilities seriously, including engaging with government and other stakeholders on important public policy challenges. The Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team leads the company’s engagement with executive‑branch officials, legislators, regulators and third‑parties in the formation of public policy. Working closely with Google leaders, GAPP seeks to identify key policy issues, listen carefully to others’ views and opinions, and distill and share the company’s perspective on those issues with external stakeholders. While we focus on challenges affecting the internet, our issue areas are increasingly broad and encompass many areas where public policy, business, and technology intersect.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Google leadership to agree upon and drive Google’s evolving policy priorities in the MENA region, including the pursuit of an ambitious agenda for partnerships with governments.
• Manage company positioning on key interests and issues – working in partnership with leadership and key stakeholder groups.
• Establish, build, and maintain relationships with allies to shape public discourse.
• Be able to regularly conduct vulnerability assessments and track potential threats. Develop plans to address the most pressing potential scenarios and lead response efforts.
• Develop and coordinate campaigns across public policy, communications, marketing, sales, and product teams.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents‑to‑be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy, Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal, Belonging at Google, and How we hire.

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.