Government Relations Officer

InterContinental Hotels Group; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global hospitality company is seeking a Government Relations Officer to manage visa and permit processing, ensure compliance with local laws, and act as the main liaison with government authorities. This role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, 3–5 years of experience in government relations, and strong communication skills. The successful candidate will provide assistance to HR and operations while supporting VIP guests during immigration procedures. Join this dynamic team and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits packages

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in government relations or similar roles.
• Familiarity with local labour laws, immigration regulations, and government processes.
• Knowledge of visa processing and licensing procedures.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Manage employment visas, residence permits, and exit/re-entry visas.
• Act as the main contact with government authorities.
• Prepare and submit required reports for new hires.
• Assist HR with visa renewals and employee departure formalities.
• Provide support for VIP guests during immigration procedures.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational and time-management abilities

Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field

Job description

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Government Relations Officer

1. Visa and Permit Processing
   • Manage employment visas, residence permits, and exit/re-entry visas for employees and guests.
   • Ensure timely renewal of hotel licenses and certifications (trade license, civil defense, chamber of commerce, etc.).
2. Government Liaison
   • Act as the main contact with government authorities such as Labor Office, Immigration, and other regulatory bodies.
   • Keep updated on changes in laws and regulations affecting hotel operations.
3. Compliance and Documentation
   • Prepare and submit required reports for new hires and maintain accurate records for iqamas, work permits, and related documents.
   • Ensure compliance with local labour and immigration laws.
4. Support HR and Operations
   • Assist HR with visa renewals, work permits, and employee departure formalities.
   • Handle documentation for onboarding and offboarding processes.
5. VIP and Executive Assistance
   • Provide support for VIP guests and executives during immigration and customs procedures at airports.

Qualifications Required

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in political science, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience
  • 3–5 years of experience in government relations or similar roles.
  • Familiarity with local labour laws, immigration regulations, and government processes.
• Skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with government officials.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
  • Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality.
• Other Requirements
  • Knowledge of visa processing and licensing procedures.
  • Fluency in Arabic and English (especially for Saudi-based roles).
  • High ethical standards and attention to detail.

What we offer

We’ll reward all your hard work with a competitive salary and benefits.

Join us and you’ll become part of the global IHG family – and like all families, all our individual team members share some winning characteristics. As a team, we work better together – we trust and support each other, we do the right thing and we welcome different perspectives. You need to show us you care: that you notice the little things that make a difference to guests as well as always looking for ways to improve - visit www.careers.ihg.com to find out more about us.

So go on - show us how your passion and personality are the perfect fit to deliver memorable experiences to our guests.