Director of Global Affairs and Strategic Development

Ant International; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Ant International is seeking a senior public affairs professional to lead engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry bodies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The role guides strategic direction for fintech policy, cross-border finance, and digital payments initiatives across the market.

You will report to the Director of Industry Relations and Tech Policy, coordinating with executives and internal teams to advance inclusive growth and enterprise-level strategies in the KSA.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience in public affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy.
• Experience engaging with KSA policymakers, regulators, and ecosystem partners.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills to secure buy-in from senior stakeholders.
• Substantive knowledge of policy and regulation related to digital payments, fintech services, and cross-border finance in the KSA.
• Self-motivated, quick learner with a track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Excellent command of English; Arabic is highly desirable.
• Strong project management and analytical skills; able to think strategically and execute with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive engagement with KSA policymakers, regulators and industry bodies to build awareness of the business and market benefits.
• Provide forward-looking strategic advice and recommendations to businesses and communicate with leaders on key initiatives and trends.
• Identify, cultivate, and establish strategic partnerships with government, regulators, ecosystem partners, and associations.
• Monitor policy developments and communicate potential impact to stakeholders on regulatory initiatives and thought leadership forums.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities and recommend operationalizing policy changes.
• Act as the project lead for key industry events in the KSA with cross-functional coordination.

Skills

Public affairs

Government relations

Policy advocacy

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-border fintech policy

Job description

Based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this candidate will be part of a growing team supporting Ant International's mission to be the most innovative and trusted digital partner driving inclusive growth for all. This person will report to our Director of Industry Relations and Tech Policy and provide executive leadership and strategic direction for high-impact projects to support our market development and implement enterprise-level strategies in the KSA.

We are seeking a dynamic, self-starter, versatile and seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the KSA's digital economy and fintech landscape, including regional cross-border dynamics. The work environment is highly matrixed and cross-functional, requiring the candidate to collaborate effectively with a variety of internal stakeholders across diverse disciplines, countries, and cultures.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and drive engagement with KSA policymakers, regulators and industry bodies to build awareness of our business and the benefits it brings to the market.
• Provide forward-looking strategic advice and recommendations to our businesses and communicate closely with business leaders and other internal stakeholders on key initiatives and emerging trends in the KSA.
• Identify, cultivate, and establish strategic partnerships with key external stakeholders (government, regulators, ecosystem partners, and industry associations) to advance Ant International's mission and support inclusive growth in the market.
• Monitor local and regional policy developments, evaluate their potential impact, and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders on legislative, regulatory, and industry initiatives, as well as upcoming thought leadership forums.
• Work with internal business teams to identify opportunities and provide recommendations on operationalizing policy and regulatory changes affecting Ant International's operations within the market.
• Act as the project lead for key industry events in the KSA, ensuring effective coordination with internal and external stakeholders across diverse disciplines and cultures.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience in public affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy, ideally with exposure to financial services, payments, or fintech.
• Proven experience engaging with KSA policymakers, regulators, and ecosystem partners, with a strong understanding of the country's digital economy and financial regulatory landscape.
• Highly motivated self-starter and quick learner with a track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Substantive knowledge of policy and regulation related to digital payments, fintech services, and cross-border finance in the KSA is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills to secure buy-in from senior stakeholders.
• Solid project management and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and execute with attention to detail.
• A collaborative team player who inspires confidence and works seamlessly across cultures and geographies.
• Excellent command of English (Arabic is highly desirable).
• Strong ethical standards with a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.

About Ant International

Headquartered in Singapore with a strong regional presence, Ant International aspires to be the most innovative and trusted digital partner in driving inclusive growth worldwide. In the Middle East, we work closely with regulators, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners to advance the KSA's vision of becoming a leading global hub for digital finance. We support merchants of all sizes in realizing their growth aspirations through a comprehensive suite of technology-driven digital payment and financial services solutions.

Find out more about Ant International and our business lines at https://www.ant-intl.com/.