About the Team

The Public Policy & Government Affairs team at Careem is at the forefront of shaping the regulatory landscape for the digital economy in the Middle East. We act as the bridge between Careem’s innovative technologies and the governmental ecosystems in which we operate. Our team is dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships with regulators, policy-makers, and other concerned stakeholders to ensure that Careem’s platform services can grow sustainably while delivering maximum value to our customers, and while leaving a positive impact on the community

About the Role

As the Senior Manager, Public Policy & Government Affairs, you will be a leader within Careem Technologies, overseeing the public policy strategy for high-growth verticals including Pay, Food, and Quik, etc. Based in Dubai, you will navigate complex regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring that this multi-service platform continues to lead and to expand.

You are a strategic thinker who is plugged into industry trends and public sentiment. You will be responsible for translating business objectives into actionable policy positions and serving as a trusted advisor to both internal leadership and external government stakeholders.

What you'll do

• Strategy & Execution: Plan and execute comprehensive government relations, policy strategies, and corporate affairs campaigns across Careem Technologies' verticals (Pay, Food, Quik, etc.).
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage at senior levels with a diverse set of government and non-government stakeholders to advocate for and implement win-win regulatory outcomes.
• Lead Interlocutor: Act as a primary interface for government interactions and represent the company with sector regulators, technology/investment entities, and key ministries.
• Risk & Prioritization: Prioritize public policy objectives, risks, and opportunities across Careem’s markets and ensure the allocation of appropriate resources in line with these priorities.
• Strategic Partnerships: Identify and execute strategic partnerships (government and non-government) that deliver long-term value to Careem’s technology ecosystem.
• Internal Advocacy: Drive internal communications and the creation of case studies or white papers to demonstrate the scope and impact of the function within the company.
• Trend Monitoring: Maintain an up-to-date mastery of industry trends and public knowledge to proactively manage the brand's regulatory reputation.

What you'll need

• Experience & Background: 8–10 years of progressive experience in the Middle East (predominantly UAE and Saudi Arabia) within a private company (policy/regulatory capacity), top-tier law firm, management consultancy, or a multilateral development organization.
• Language Mastery: Professional fluency in both Arabic and English is essential for this role.
• Analytical Ability: A high degree of rigor in developing quantitative and economic justifications to support Careem’s policy positions.
• Advocacy Skills: Outstanding ability to build and communicate complex positions in a concise and compelling way to high-level officials.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven experience interacting with government stakeholders and managing public policy teams across multiple geographies.
• Cultural Alignment: A commitment to Careem’s mission and alignment with its core values.

What we’ll provide you

We offer colleagues the opportunity to drive impact in the region while they learn and grow. As a full time Careem colleague, you will be able to:

• Work and learn from great minds by joining a community of inspiring colleagues.
• Put your passion to work in a purposeful organisation dedicated to creating impact in a region with a lot of untapped potential.
• Explore new opportunities to learn and grow every day.
• Work 4 days a week in office & 1 day from home, and remotely from any country in the world for 30 days a year with unlimited vacation days per year. (If you are in an individual contributor role in tech, you will have 2 office days a week and 3 to work from home.)
• Access to healthcare benefits and fitness reimbursements for health activities including gym, health club, and training classes.

Burson MENA

Burson’s MENA operations stand as one of the largest and most respected communications agencies in the region, delivering impactful strategies rooted in craft, curiosity, counsel, and camaraderie. Burson MENA is a trusted partner for clients navigating complex communications and public affairs landscapes, shaping reputations, and driving business outcomes across diverse sectors.

Offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and also part of the region is Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain and Egypt our team combines strategic expertise with AI-driven insights to craft compelling narratives that influence key decision-makers. Backed by a strong international and global network, we provide innovative, data-driven solutions that connect with audiences and create lasting impact. At Burson, our inclusive and high-performance culture fuels innovation, empowering individuals to excel and collaborate in a dynamic environment where growth thrives.

More about the role:

This pivotal role sits within our Government, Public Affairs & Sustainability communications team, supporting public sector institutions, policymakers, regulators, and government-adjacent organisations across the region. The role focuses on shaping narratives around public policy, sustainability, ESG, and responsible innovation, helping clients communicate complex priorities that directly impact citizens, industry, and the broader economy.

As an Account Director, you will play a central role in managing high-profile, often sensitive communications programmes at the intersection of government, sustainability, regulation, and emerging technologies. You will join a team recognised for its strong public-sector and institutional communications legacy, bringing strategic counsel, sound judgement, and deep stakeholder insight to complex challenges.

What you'll do:

• Be part of the development and execution of integrated government, public affairs, and sustainability communications strategies for ministries, regulators, state-owned entities, and public-sector partners.

• Advise clients on policy positioning, sustainability narratives, ESG priorities, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with national visions, climate commitments, and regulatory frameworks.

• Support communications around sustainability policy, climate action, energy transition, digital transformation, and social impact initiatives.

• Drive proactive and reactive media relations across mainstream, policy, sustainability, and trade media, managing sensitive issues and high-profile announcements.

• Develop and implement crisis, issues, and reputation management strategies, particularly for sustainability- and policy-related risks.

• Build and maintain trusted advisory relationships with senior clients, acting as a strategic partner on long-term reputation and public trust.

• Oversee day-to-day account management, ensuring high-quality execution, strong governance, and excellent client service.

• Mentor and develop junior team members, strengthening public affairs and sustainability expertise across the team.

Experience that contributes to success:

• Track record in public relations, public affairs, sustainability or ESG communications, ideally within an agency or advisory environment.

• Proven experience working with government entities, regulators, policy bodies, or public-sector organisations.

• Strong understanding of public policy, sustainability frameworks, ESG principles, and regulatory environments.

• Demonstrated expertise in media relations, issues management, content strategy, and stakeholder communications.

• Experience advising on or communicating sustainability initiatives, climate policy, energy transition, or social impact programmes

• Proficiency in English, with Arabic highly desirable.

• Interest in how emerging technologies and data support sustainability, transparency, and public-sector transformation.

• Exceptional strategic thinking, judgement, and relationship management skills.

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