Corporate Registration Manager | Group Legal | Corporate Services

Job description / Role

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A"rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

We are currently seeking an experienced Government Relations professional to join our Group legal team in the capacity of Corporate Registration Manager.

Overview of the role

The role will primarily support the Government Relations (GR) and Corporate Registration (CR) functions in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. This includes providing corporate registration assistance to key stakeholders across various business functions and strategic initiatives, as well as day-to-day operational activities. Additionally, the role will hold signatory rights within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all business divisions, including automotive, engineering, healthcare, and other sectors. The individual will serve as the official representative of the group within the country, ensuring compliance and alignment with all regulatory and governmental requirements.

What you will do

Government Relations and Compliance:
- Establish and maintain effective communication channels with key government entities, including the Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT), and other regulatory bodies.
- Represent the group in official meetings and discussions with government authorities, addressing regulatory requirements and securing necessary approvals for business operations.
- Monitor changes in local regulations, policies, and governmental procedures, providing timely updates to internal stakeholders and implementing necessary compliance measures.
- Coordinate with the Government Relations (GR) team to handle escalated cases, ensuring smooth interactions with authorities and timely resolution of issues affecting business activities.

Licenses, Permits, and Compliance Records:
- Ensure all business divisions possess the required licenses and permits to operate within Saudi Arabia, coordinating the renewal processes and updating relevant databases accordingly.
- Conduct regular audits of compliance records, identifying potential gaps and recommending corrective actions to senior management to mitigate risks.
- Maintain an organized record of all licenses, permits, and compliance certificates, ensuring easy retrieval and timely renewals.

Support and Advisory Role:
- Act as an advisor to business units and senior leadership on matters related to corporate registration, government regulations, and trademark management.
- Provide training and support to internal teams on regulatory compliance procedures, data management practices, and trademark registration protocols.

Corporate Database Management:
- Develop and maintain a centralized digital database for all corporate registration (CR) records, licenses, permits, and government-related documents, ensuring accessibility, accuracy, and security.
- Regularly update the database to reflect any changes in corporate structure, business licenses, or trademark registrations, and generate periodic reports for senior management.

Trademark (TM) Registration and Management:
- Oversee and manage the registration, renewal, and protection of all group trademarks (TMs) within Saudi Arabia, ensuring full compliance with national regulations.
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date database of all trademarks registered under the group, including renewals, deadlines, and relevant documentation.

- Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of Saudi Arabian regulatory frameworks, corporate laws, trademark regulations, and compliance requirements.
- Communication and Negotiation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with government officials, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
- Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail, particularly in managing corporate records, trademark documentation, and regulatory filings.
- Leadership and Team Management: Proven experience in leading and developing a team, with the ability to delegate tasks effectively while maintaining oversight.
- Problem-Solving: Proactive and solution-oriented mindset with a demonstrated ability to address challenges and mitigate risks in a timely manner.
- Project Management: Competence in managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, while ensuring compliance with deadlines and regulatory requirements.

What equips you for the role

- Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant post-qualification experience, preferably within the fields of government relations, corporate registration, or legal affairs in Saudi Arabia.
- Fluency in English is essential.
- Regional experience is advantageous but not mandatory.

We're here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.