Emiratization - Manager - Government Relations & Permits

Khazna Data Centers; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Khazna Data Centers in the United Arab Emirates seeks a Manager – Government Relations and Permits to lead the permitting process, ensure regulatory compliance, and liaise with authorities across the UAE. The role requires deep knowledge of local regulations, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory processes to keep projects on schedule.

The candidate will oversee filing, renewal, and maintenance of licenses, build regulatory trackers, and provide guidance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in government relations, permitting, or regulatory affairs within the UAE.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end permitting, securing building permits, completion certificates, licenses and approvals.
• Coordinate with government entities to secure project approvals.
• Conduct regular meetings with stakeholders and advisors on permits and regulatory approvals.
• Monitor regulatory changes and advise management on risks and mitigations.
• Coordinate submission, renewal and maintenance of permits, licenses and documents.
• Track status of permits, deadlines, and regulatory dependencies.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Negotiation

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Law, Engineering

Tools

Project/tracking tools

Job description

Since 2012, Khaznahas become the leading wholesale data center provider in the Middle East and North Africa, delivering reliable and scalable infrastructure to support the region’s growing digital ecosystem.

As part of our Emiratization initiatives, we are looking for a Manager – Government Relations and Permits to manage relationships with government authorities, oversee regulatory requirements, and ensure the timely acquisition of all necessary permits and approvals. The role requires strong knowledge of local regulations, excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, and the ability to effectively navigate complex government and regulatory processes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead the end-to-end permitting process, ensuring timely issuance of building permits, completion certificates, licenses, and other approvals in line with project milestones.
• Coordinate with government entities and local authorities to secure all required project and business approvals.
• Conduct regular management and site meetings with project stakeholders, contractors, and technical advisors regarding permits and regulatory approvals.
• Proactively monitor regulatory changes and advise senior management on potential risks, impacts, and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate the submission, renewal, and maintenance of all required regulatory filings, permits, licenses, and documentation.
• Track and report on the status of permits, approvals, critical deadlines, and regulatory dependencies.
• Provide guidance to project stakeholders on regulatory requirements, risks, compliance, and best practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national government authorities and regulatory stakeholders.
• Represent the company at government meetings, regulatory forums, and relevant industry events.
• Ensure company practices and project activities remain compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain regulatory trackers and dashboards to provide visibility of permit status, risks, approvals, and critical deadlines.
• Provide guidance, training, and knowledge sharing to junior colleagues, and verify authority-related invoices before management review.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in government relations, permitting, or regulatory affairs within the UAE.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory frameworks and permitting processes.
• Proven experience working with government authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently, work under pressure, and use project/compliance tracking tools.