Cluster Manager – Government Relations

Job Description

Cluster Manager - Government Relations

Main Duties

• Lead and oversee all Government Relations (GR) operations across specific cluster within Aldar Education, ensuring full compliance with UAE regulations (MOHRE, ICP, ADEK/KHDA)
• Manage the end-to-end employee lifecycle from a GR perspective, including visas, labour contracts, renewals, and cancellations
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant processing of all government-related transactions, meeting defined SLAs and deadlines
• Act as the primary escalation point within cluster for complex GR cases, resolving issues efficiently and minimizing operational risk
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with government authorities to support smooth processing and issue resolution
• Drive accountability, performance, and delivery within the Cluster GR team, ensuring high standards of execution
• Partner with HR, school leadership, and HQ teams to ensure GR services effectively support business needs
• Ensure continuous compliance with UAE labour laws, immigration regulations, and ADEK requirements
• Support the development and implementation of GR policies, processes, and governance frameworks
• Oversee GR-related budgeting, cost control, and financial tracking for cluster

Specific Duties

• Oversee and manage all MOHRE and ICP processes, including job offers, work permits, labour contracts, residence visas, Emirates ID, renewals, and cancellations
• Monitor and track visa and labour contract expiry dates, ensuring proactive renewals to avoid fines or non-compliance
• Review and approve all visa applications, documentation, and submissions for accuracy and compliance
• Ensure coordination of medicals, Emirates ID processing, and onboarding requirements for new employees
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve GR workflows, SOPs, and tracking systems in line with regulatory requirements
• Drive automation and digitization of visa workflows to ensure faster processing times, improved data accuracy, and reduced manual intervention, leveraging existing platforms (e.g., Oracle) where applicable
• Provide guidance, training, and ongoing support to cluster HR teams on GR processes, policies, and regulatory updates
• Stay up to date with changes in UAE laws, regulations, and government systems, and implement necessary process updates
• Prepare and review all GR-related reports, including ADEK and visa reporting for respective cluster
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions to enhance speed, scalability, and user experience
• Manage GR budgets, including forecasting visa costs and monitoring actual spend against budget
• Review and approve invoices, expense claims, and cost allocations related to GR activities
• Act as the key liaison between internal stakeholders and government entities, ensuring clear communication and issue resolution
• Maintain accurate records and documentation across all GR activities, ensuring audit readiness
• Support employees and their families with government-related services, ensuring a high level of service delivery
• Lead process tracking, reporting dashboards, and performance monitoring to identify bottlenecks and improve efficiency
• Ensure strict confidentiality of employee data and sensitive information
• Perform any additional duties as required to support business operations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, HR, or related field

Minimum Experience

• 8 years’ experience in Government Relations within the UAE
• Proven experience managing visa, labour contracts, and regulatory compliance
• Experience within the education sector is highly desirable

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of UAE labour law, immigration processes, and ADEK/KHDA requirements
• Proven leadership and team management capability
• Ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with government officials, regulators, and internal leadership
• Strong operational mindset with ability to drive processes and execution
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• High attention to detail with strong follow-up and deadline management
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication skills in English; Arabic is highly desirable
• Proficient in MS Office and relevant government systems

What We Offer