Head of Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs

CargoX; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Neolixgo, the CargoX joint venture in the UAE, seeks a Government Relations Lead to manage regulator relationships, permits, and licensing across emirates. The role owns regulatory expectations and supports expansion as Abu Dhabi moves to Level 4 operations.

You will handle incident responses, track regulatory changes, and represent the company at government events such as Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week and DRIFTx. Fluency in Arabic and English and a UAE driving licence are essential.

Qualifications

• Established relationships with UAE transport regulators (ITC, RTA, DMT, MOI or similar).
• Government relations experience in a regulated, safety-sensitive sector; autonomous vehicle or smart-mobility experience is a plus.
• Practical knowledge of how UAE permit and licensing approvals actually move.
• Sound judgement under pressure, and comfort handling informal as well as formal channels.
• Fluent Arabic and English (essential).
• Valid UAE driving licence, and willingness to travel between emirates.

Responsibilities

• Regulator relationships: Stay in regular, proactive contact with ITC, SASC and RTA, so issues are resolved before escalations.
• Permits and licensing: Handle operating permits, vehicle registration, route and zone approvals, and safety dossiers across emirates.
• Incident response: Be the first contact when an incident, complaint or media enquiry reaches a government body.
• Horizon-scanning: Track changes to UAE regimes and prepare the business before new rules take effect.
• External representation: Represent the company at government-facing events and councils such as Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week and DRIFTx.
• Internal translation: Turn regulatory requirements into actions for Operations, Safety and Product.

Skills

Regulator relationships

Government relations

Permit/licensing knowledge

Judgement under pressure

Arabic & English fluency

UAE driving licence & travel

Job description

This role sits within Neolixgo, the CargoX joint venture in the UAE. We run a licensed autonomous delivery fleet in Abu Dhabi, under a permit regime led by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) with the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the Cabinet's RegLab and the Ministry of Interior. Abu Dhabi is moving from pilot to commercial Level 4 operation, and Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and the federal authorities are developing their own frameworks. Our ability to operate and expand depends on how much our regulators trust us, and this role owns that relationship.

• Regulator relationships: Stay in regular, proactive contact with ITC, SASC and RTA, so that issues get resolved in a conversation before they become escalations.
• Permits and licensing: Handle operating permits, vehicle registration, route and zone approvals, and the safety dossiers behind them, across every emirate we operate in.
• Incident response: Be the first point of contact when an incident, complaint or media enquiry reaches a government body, working with Operations and Legal.
• Horizon-scanning: Track changes to the ITC regime, the Dubai AV Law, federal traffic law and other emirates' frameworks, and prepare the business before new rules take effect.
• External representation: Represent the company at government-facing events and councils, such as Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week and DRIFTx.
• Internal translation: Turn regulatory requirements into actions for Operations, Safety and Product, and explain our operations to regulators in a way that builds trust.

What You'll Need

• Established relationships with UAE transport or mobility regulators (ITC, RTA, DMT, MOI or similar)
• Government relations experience in a regulated, safety-sensitive sector. Autonomous vehicle or smart-mobility experience is a plus.
• Practical knowledge of how UAE permit and licensing approvals actually move
• Sound judgement under pressure, and comfort handling informal as well as formal channels
• Fluent Arabic and English (essential)
• Valid UAE driving licence, and willingness to travel between emirates

Strongly preferred: autonomous vehicle or robotaxi regulatory experience; familiarity with SASC, RegLab or the MOI's Advanced Driving Systems Testing framework; a network that reaches Dubai's RTA and other emirates' authorities.