Senior Government Relations Manager (EMIRATI)

Salt; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt in Abu Dhabi seeks a seasoned Government Relations leader to steer regulatory engagement across major projects in the UAE. You will lead senior-level government interactions, navigate approvals, and guide strategic regulatory decisions to maintain momentum and compliance.

You will collaborate with project teams, consultants, and internal partners to resolve dependencies, strengthen governance, and drive continuous process improvements in permitting and approvals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Law, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in government relations, permitting, regulatory affairs, or authority engagement within the UAE.
• Strong track record of handling complex regulatory approvals for major projects.
• Deep understanding of UAE regulatory frameworks, local authority processes and government stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder influence and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead senior-level engagement with government authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Oversee complex approval pathways and intervene on critical matters affecting timelines or costs.
• Advise senior stakeholders on regulatory developments, risks and actions to maintain momentum and compliance.
• Strengthen governance across permits and approvals with improved accountability and escalation processes.
• Coordinate with project teams, consultants, contractors and internal functions to resolve regulatory dependencies.
• Drive continuous improvement across government relations and permitting through better processes and tools.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder influence

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

This role is ideal for an experienced professional who can lead government engagement, navigate complex approval requirements, and provide strategic regulatory guidance across major projects in the UAE.

• Lead senior-level engagement with government authorities and regulatory bodies, building strong relationships that support current and future project requirements.
• Oversee complex approval pathways and intervene on critical matters that could affect project timelines, cost, or operational readiness.
• Advise senior stakeholders on regulatory developments, potential risks, and practical actions required to maintain project momentum and compliance.
• Strengthen governance across permits and approvals by improving accountability, escalation processes, visibility, and decision making.
• Coordinate closely with project teams, consultants, contractors, and internal functions to resolve regulatory dependencies and remove approval bottlenecks.
• Drive continuous improvement across government relations and permitting through better processes, tracking tools, standardisation, and lessons learned.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in government relations, permitting, regulatory affairs, or authority engagement within the UAE.
• Strong track record of handling complex regulatory approvals and resolving escalated matters across major projects.
• Deep understanding of UAE regulatory frameworks, local authority processes, and government stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, stakeholder influence, and decision making skills, with the confidence to advise senior leadership.

This role offers the opportunity to operate at a senior level across major projects, influence regulatory strategy, and build trusted relationships with key government stakeholders.

If you have extensive UAE government relations experience and a strong track record of navigating complex approvals and regulatory environments, we would love to hear from you.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted