Partnerships Associate (Emiratisation)

Chalhoub Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Chalhoub Group in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Partnerships Associate to strengthen government and strategic partnerships across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The role combines field-based stakeholder engagement with office coordination to support business operations and regulatory approvals.

You'll work directly with the Managing Director of the UAE and interact with government entities, ministries, and external partners to enable seamless collaboration and long-term growth for the Group.

Qualifications

• UAE National (Family Book).
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Political Science, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates or candidates with up to two years of experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with government, semi-government, and strategic external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with municipalities, economic departments, tourism authorities, ministries, embassies, free zones, and regulatory bodies.
• Work with the Government Relations team to support business requirements and operational needs.
• Facilitate permits, approvals, licenses, meetings, and official documentation where required.
• Support initiatives that strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for long-term business growth.
• Attend meetings, networking events, and stakeholder engagements representing Chalhoub Group.
• Ensure timely follow-up and coordination on operational matters requiring external stakeholder involvement.

Skills

Arabic

English

Relationship building

Stakeholder engagement

People skills

Organizational skills

Multi-stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Political Science, or related field

Job description

INSPIRE | EXHILARATE | DELIGHT

At Chalhoub Group, we don't just build partnerships—we build relationships that enable business. As the region's leading luxury retailer, our success depends on strong collaboration with government entities, strategic partners, and stakeholders who help shape the future of our business.

We are looking for a Partnerships Associate to join our Partnerships team. This role is ideal for a proactive Emirati professional who enjoys building relationships, representing the Group, and supporting business operations through effective stakeholder engagement. Reporting directly to the Managing Director of the UAE, you will work across government and semi-government entities, helping facilitate approvals, strengthen strategic relationships, and ensure business continuity across the UAE.

This is a dynamic, field-based opportunity offering direct exposure to senior leadership, government relations, and cross-functional collaboration.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Partnerships Associate, you'll play an important role in strengthening Chalhoub Group's relationships with government and external stakeholders while supporting business operations across the Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with government, semi-government, and strategic external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with entities such as municipalities, economic departments, tourism authorities, ministries, embassies, free zones, and other regulatory bodies.
• Work closely with the Government Relations team to support business requirements and operational needs.
• Facilitate permits, approvals, licenses, meetings, and official documentation where required.
• Support the successful execution of business initiatives by coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a key liaison between business leaders, brands, and external entities.
• Attend meetings, networking events, business forums, and stakeholder engagements representing Chalhoub Group.
• Support initiatives that strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for long-term business growth.
• Ensure timely follow-up and coordination on operational matters requiring external stakeholder involvement.
• Contribute to projects that enhance collaboration between Chalhoub Group and strategic partners across the UAE.

Who You'll Work With

Internal Stakeholders

• Group Leadership
• Government Relations
• Commercial Teams
• Brand Teams
• Retail Operations
• Business Support Functions

External Stakeholders

• Government and Semi-Government Entities
• Dubai Police and UAE Police Authorities
• Municipalities
• Economic Development Departments
• Tourism Authorities
• Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade
• Embassies
• JAFZA and Port Authorities
• Strategic Business Partners

What You'll Need to Succeed

We're looking for someone who is passionate about representing Chalhoub Group with professionalism and integrity.

Qualifications

• UAE National (Family Book)
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Political Science, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates or candidates with up to two years of experience are encouraged to apply.

Skills & Attributes

• Fluent in Arabic (spoken, written, and reading).
• Strong professional communication skills in English.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Comfortable engaging with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Well-organized with excellent follow-through and attention to detail.
• Adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Interest in government relations, partnerships, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement.

Previous exposure to customer-facing roles, stakeholder management, retail, partnerships, or government relations is considered an advantage.

For male candidates, completion of UAE National Service is preferred.

Working Style

This is a fully office and field-based role requiring regular travel across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The successful candidate should be comfortable:

• Visiting government entities, malls, business partners, and external meetings.
• Working across multiple locations depending on business priorities.
• Starting early when coordinating with government entities.
• Being highly visible and responsive throughout the working day.

Why Join Chalhoub Group?

This is a unique opportunity to build a career at the intersection of business, government relations, and strategic partnerships.

As a Partnerships Associate, you will:

• Work closely with senior leaders across Chalhoub Group.
• Build meaningful relationships with key government and strategic entities.
• Gain exposure to how one of the region's largest luxury retailers operates behind the scenes.
• Develop expertise in stakeholder management, business enablement, and public sector collaboration.
• Build a strong foundation for a long-term career within Partnerships, Government Relations, Corporate Affairs, or Commercial Leadership.

What Success Looks Like

During your first year, you'll be expected to:

• Build strong relationships with key government and external stakeholders.
• Understand the needs of different business functions across the Group.
• Independently coordinate permits, approvals, and stakeholder requests.
• Become a trusted partner to internal teams and external entities.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and sound judgment in every interaction.
• Represent Chalhoub Group with confidence, integrity, and excellence.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting people, solving operational challenges, and creating partnerships that enable business success.