Government Relations Officer

IHG; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global hospitality company seeks a Government Relations Officer in Saudi Arabia. The role involves managing visas, liaising with government authorities, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and have 3–5 years of experience in government relations. This position requires fluency in Arabic and English, alongside excellent communication skills. Competitive salary and benefits are offered as part of the global team culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Manage employment visas and residence permits for employees.
• Act as the main contact with government authorities.
• Prepare and submit required reports for new hires.
• Assist HR with employee departure formalities.
• Provide support for VIP guests during customs procedures.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational and time-management abilities

Ability to work independently

Fluency in Arabic and English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, Public Policy, Business Administration, or 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.