About the Role
The Establishment Services Manager leads all regulatory, licensing, and compliance activities across UAE jurisdictions, ensuring seamless execution of trade license processes, civil defense requirements, municipality approvals, signage permits, inspections, and establishment-related government transactions. The role safeguards full compliance with federal and emirate-level regulations while supporting uninterrupted business operations.
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Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee trade licence issuance, renewals, amendments, and cancellations for mainland and free zone entities across the UAE.
- Manage municipality permits and approvals, including signage, operational, event, and facility-related requirements.
- Ensure timely issuance and renewal of Civil Defence permits and maintain compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Coordinate inspection readiness across sites, managing corrective actions and ensuring successful closure of findings.
- Oversee all establishment-related government transactions and maintain strong relationships with relevant authorities and regulatory bodies.
- Monitor regulatory compliance through dashboards, tracking licence expiries, permit renewals, inspection outcomes, and compliance risks.
- Drive process improvements by developing SOPs, enhancing governance standards, and identifying automation opportunities to improve efficiency and mitigate risk.
- Lead and develop the Establishment Services team while partnering with Legal, Facilities Management, Operations, Real Estate, and key stakeholders to support business continuity and regulatory compliance.
Requirements
- 8+ years of Government Relations and Establishment Services experience, including a minimum of 4 years in a people management role within large, complex organizations.
- Strong expertise in trade licensing, regulatory compliance, government transactions, and stakeholder management, ensuring adherence to UAE federal and emirate-level requirements.
- Proven ability to partner with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders, providing strategic guidance and operational support in a business partnering environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analytics tools such as Power BI, with strong communication, business writing, and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including strategic thinking, decision-making, change leadership, talent development, accountability, and customer focus.
