Government Relations Officer

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

Job summary

A leading global hotel chain in Saudi Arabia seeks a Government Relations Officer to manage visa processing, compliance, and liaise with government authorities. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience in government relations. Strong communication skills and fluency in Arabic and English are essential. The role offers a competitive salary along with the chance to join a supportive and diverse team focusing on delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

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.

Responsibilities

• Manage employment visas, residence permits, and exit/re-entry visas for employees and guests.
• Act as the main contact with government authorities such as Labor Office, Immigration, and other regulatory bodies.
• Prepare and submit required reports for new hires and maintain accurate records for iqamas and work permits.
• Assist HR with visa renewals, work permits, and employee departure formalities.
• Provide support for VIP guests and executives during immigration and customs procedures at airports.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational and time-management abilities

Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality

Fluency in Arabic

Fluency in English

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.