Government Relations Officer

IHG Hotels & Resorts; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global hotel group is seeking a Government Relations Officer in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia. This role involves managing visa and permit processing, acting as a liaison with government authorities, and ensuring compliance with local laws. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree, 3–5 years of relevant experience, and strong skills in communication and organization. Join us to contribute to delivering memorable experiences to our guests with a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in government relations or similar roles.
• Familiarity with local labour laws and government processes.
• High ethical standards and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage employment visas and residence permits for employees.
• Act as the liaison with government authorities for hotel operations.
• Ensure compliance with local labour and immigration laws.
• Assist HR with visa renewals and onboarding processes.
• Support VIP guests during immigration procedures.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Organizational and time-management abilities

Ability to work independently

Fluency in Arabic and English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science or related field

Job description

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Government Relations Officer

• 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.).
• 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.
• 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.
• Support HR and Operations
  • Assist HR with visa renewals, work permits, and employee departure formalities.
  • Handle documentation for onboarding and offboarding processes.
• 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.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.