HR & Government Relations Officer

SEK International Schools; Al Wajh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An international school in Saudi Arabia is seeking an HR & Government Relations Officer to handle HR operations and government processes. You will oversee recruitment, employee relations, and visa logistics while ensuring compliance with local regulations. With a focus on staff welfare during a critical startup phase, the role is suitable for an experienced HR professional with knowledge of Saudi labor laws and fluency in Arabic and English. Accommodation is offered as part of the package.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Impacting staff wellbeing

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of relevant HR experience, ideally in Saudi Arabia.
• Experience managing visas and government processes.
• Strong track record in employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR operations and government processes for the school.
• Manage end-to-end work visa processes and Iqama logistics.
• Lead recruitment, maintain employee relations, and uphold compliance.

Skills

Relevant HR experience

Visa and Iqama management

Employee relations

Clear communication

Confidentiality

Job description

Role overview

The HR & Government Relations Officer oversees alldaytodayHR operations and government processes for the school, ensuring compliant, consistent, and people-centred practices. The role combines HR administration, employee relations, visa/Iqama processing, onboarding and welfare, and the upkeep of policies and staff records. It is primarily operational and execution focused, with close collaboration across leadership, the project team, and the sister school. You will be the sole HR professional on site, working mostly with the Head of School (and at times the Project Manager), and coordinating with HR/finance peers within the SEK network in Saudi Arabia.

Key responsibilities

Recruitment, eligibility & contracts (smaller part of the role)

• Screen candidates for visa/eligibility (age, nationality, qualifications, role alignment)
• Coordinate interviews where time allows (posting roles is desirable but not core)
• Issue/coordinate employment contracts, ensuring job titles and terms match visa requirements
• Support leadership to ensure offers and conditions are clear and consistent

Conduct, performance & culture

• Maintain and update the Staff Handbook; ensure staff acknowledge receipt and understand expectations (dress code, punctuality, professional conduct, cultural norms)
• Lead (in consultation with leadership) verbal/written warnings, disciplinary meetings, and documentation of underperformance—ensuring a fair, consistent process with a witness present
• Act as the first formal point of contact for staff concerns, ensuring resolution pathways are clear and documented

Government relations & sponsorship (Saudi context)

• Manage end-to-end work visa processes, entry/exit permissions, andIqama logistics for international staff
• Coordinate with external visa agents contracted by candidates; guide and escalate when issues arise
• Ensure job titles, qualifications, contracts, and visa categories align to avoid application delays
• Navigate required government platforms and procedures; keep leadership updated on timelines and requirements

Onboarding, arrival logistics & staff welfare

• Provide pre-arrival briefings (shipping belongings, pets, what to pack, travel notes, registering children at school)
• Collect arrival details, arrange security clearance and site access, meet staff on arrival, and hand over accommodation access (with Project Manager support for allocations and readiness)
• Explain benefits, medical insurance, and leave entitlements; manage absence requests and related documentation
• Offer cultural orientation for living and working in Saudi Arabia; curate local practical information to help staff settle smoothly

Records, systems & compliance

• Maintain complete and secure HR files (contracts, visas, Iqamas, warnings, leave, attestations)
• Ensure alignment with Saudi labour law, preparing documentation for audits/inspections and internal reviews
• Uphold confidentiality and data protection across all HR processes; ensure consistent, evidence-based recordkeeping

Exit and onboarding

• Manage end-of-service processes (notice periods, documentation, final payments coordination with finance, exit permits, visa/Iqama cancellation)
• Ensure offboarding is compliant, smooth, and properly documented

Collaboration & ways of working

• Report primarily to the Head of School; coordinate with the Project Manager depending on project phase
• Align protocols with the sister school and seek guidance/escalation from SEK’s Saudi HR/finance colleagues where appropriate
• Ensure consistent messaging to staff: HR participates in or leads all conversations that define working conditions, so expectations remain clear and aligned

Experience, skills & profile

• At least 5–8 years of relevant HR experience, ideally within Saudi Arabia and with government relations/sponsorship responsibilities
• Proven experience managing visas, Iqamas, and government processes with external agents and platforms
• Strong track record in employee relations, conduct/discipline processes, and HR documentation
• Highly organized, discreet, and calm—able to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and sound judgment
• Clear communicator who can explain rules, steps, and decisions in plain language and follow through proactively
• Arabic: required (to navigate government processes); English: required for daily communication with leadership and staff
• Saudi national preferred

Why join us?

• Shape HR operations and government processes from the ground up in a new international school
• Make a direct impact on staff wellbeing, consistency, and compliance during a critical startup phase
• Collaborate with an experienced sister school and the SEK network while owning onsite delivery
• Work in a unique, values-driven community within a world-class development

Salary is based on relevant qualifications and experience. Accommodation is also provided as an additional benefit and included for staff at no additional cost.