Government Affairs Lead - Middle East (UAE or Saudi Arabia based)

The role

The Government Affairs Lead for the Middle East will establish and strengthen Cohere's presence across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf Coast countries. This person will develop and execute government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategies to influence AI policy, digital transformation, and public-sector innovation.

What you will do

• Develop and execute government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Serve as the primary government affairs representative across the region.
• Build relationships with ministries, regulators, government authorities, and sovereign entities.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments regarding AI, cloud computing, and data governance.
• Support policy advocacy through consultation responses, policy submissions, and briefing materials.
• Partner with commercial and public sector sales teams to support business development.
• Collaborate with communications, marketing, and public relations teams on messaging.
• Represent Cohere in industry associations, public-private partnerships, and policy forums.
• Manage relationships with external government affairs consultants and advisors.
• Ensure all engagement and lobbying activities comply with local laws and company policies.

Required qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in government, ministerial office, public policy, diplomacy, public-sector consulting, regulatory affairs, corporate government affairs, or a leading industry association.
• Strong understanding of the policymaking, regulatory, and public-sector landscape in either the United Arab Emirates or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Experience building trusted relationships with senior government officials and public-sector stakeholders.
• Familiarity with AI policy, digital transformation, innovation policy, cloud technologies, public procurement, or technology regulation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong analytical skills to translate policy developments into business implications.
• Collaborative mindset to work across international, cross-functional teams.
• Entrepreneurial, self-starter mentality.
• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, law, business, economics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Nice to have

• Professional proficiency in Arabic.
• Existing relationships with government stakeholders in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Experience engaging with GCC institutions or regional organizations.
• Experience in enterprise software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, or another emerging technology sector.
• Experience supporting government procurement, digital transformation, or national AI initiatives.

Benefits

• Weekly lunch stipend of $75/£75 or equivalent in local currency.
• Full health and dental benefits, including a separate budget for mental health.
• RRSP matching, 401K, Pension Scheme.
• 100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months.
• Annual enrichment benefits for arts, culture, fitness, wellness, quality time, and workspace improvement.
• Education and learning stipend for conferences, courses, and coaching.
• 6 weeks of paid vacation.
• Budget for traveling to other offices if remote.
• Annual company offsite.
• Co-working benefit for those not near an office.
• $500 home office stipend.

Before you apply

• May use AI-enabled tools to screen and assess applicants.

About the company

Cohere is a leading security-first enterprise AI company that builds foundation AI models and end-to-end products. It is a global technology company headquartered in Toronto.