Government Relations Officer

Role summary

Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.

The Government Relations Officer manages the hotel’s dealings with UAE government authorities, including immigration, labour, municipality, licensing and other regulatory departments. Typical requirements include relevant experience in government relations or hotel administration, strong knowledge of UAE visa and labour procedures, confident communication in English, and preferably Arabic-speaking ability. The candidate should be familiar with online government portals, document processing, renewals, permits and compliance requirements. The role expects excellent organisation, discretion, follow-up skills and the ability to build effective relationships with officials while supporting employees and hotel management. A valid UAE driving licence, local government-relations experience and knowledge of Dubai regulations may also be preferred.

About the employer

Sofitel Dubai Downtown is a luxury French-inspired hotel located in the heart of Dubai, close to Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. It operates under Sofitel, Accor’s international luxury hospitality brand, which combines French elegance with local culture and personalised service. The property offers guest rooms and suites, restaurants, lounges, meeting facilities, wellness amenities and access to Dubai’s major business and leisure attractions. As part of Accor, the hotel benefits from an international operating network, structured training, employee benefits and career opportunities across hospitality destinations worldwide. Its team supports a diverse mix of leisure travellers, corporate guests, events and long-stay visitors.

Working in United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is not an island but a Gulf federation of seven emirates, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi offering the broadest hospitality, tourism, retail, aviation and business opportunities. The culture is multicultural and professionally international, while Islamic customs, modest public behaviour and respect for local laws are important. Dubai provides a modern lifestyle, excellent transport, beaches, shopping, dining and year-round events, although summer temperatures are very high and living costs can be substantial. Most foreign employees require employer-sponsored residence and work visas; the employer normally arranges medical testing, Emirates ID and labour documentation. Candidates should confirm contract terms, accommodation or allowance, health insurance, transport and probation conditions before relocating. English is widely used, while Arabic can be valuable in government-facing roles.