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

Role Overview

Government Affairs Lead - Middle East for Cohere, a security-first enterprise AI company headquartered in Toronto. The role is based in either the United Arab Emirates or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Company Overview

Cohere is the leading security-first enterprise AI company building cutting-edge foundation AI models and end-to-end products designed to solve real-world business problems. The company trains and deploys frontier models for enterprises building AI systems. Cohere is a global technology company with key offices in Toronto, London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul.

Role Purpose

Establish and strengthen Cohere's presence across the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf Coast countries. Position Cohere as a trusted partner in shaping AI policy, digital transformation, public-sector innovation, procurement, and economic diversification initiatives across one of the world's fastest-growing AI markets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Representation

• Report directly to Cohere's Head of EMEA Government Affairs & Public Policy.
• Serve as Cohere's primary government affairs representative across the region.
• Represent Cohere in industry associations, public-private partnerships, conferences, and policy forums across the Middle East.
• Contribute to broader regional government affairs initiatives across the GCC.

Government & Stakeholder Relationships

• Build trusted relationships with ministries, regulators, government authorities, public-sector organizations, sovereign entities, and innovation agencies.
• Develop and manage relationships with external government affairs consultants, advisors, and trade associations across the region.
• Partner closely with commercial and public sector sales teams to support business development opportunities across government, financial services, telecommunications, energy, and other regulated industries.

Policy Monitoring & Analysis

• Monitor and assess legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments affecting artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data governance, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies across the region.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear business implications and actionable recommendations.

Policy Advocacy & Communications

• Support policy advocacy by developing consultation responses, policy submissions, briefing materials, executive talking points, and stakeholder engagement strategies related to AI regulation, digital economy initiatives, technology policy, and public procurement.
• Collaborate with communications, marketing, and public relations teams to ensure consistent and effective messaging regarding Cohere's approach to responsible AI, innovation, and technology policy.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with senior leadership, legal, public policy, responsible AI, communications, and commercial teams to develop and execute Cohere's government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy across the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Work effectively across international, cross-functional teams spanning multiple time zones.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure all government engagement, lobbying, and political activities are conducted in full compliance with applicable local laws, regulations, and company policies.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7+ years of experience in government, a 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, with the ability to quickly develop expertise across both markets.
• 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.
• An undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, law, business, economics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills.
• A collaborative mindset.
• An entrepreneurial, self-starter mentality with excellent stakeholder management and project execution skills.
• Passion for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Information

Employment Type

Full-time position.

Compensation & 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, or Pension Scheme.
• 100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months, for either parent.
• Annual enrichment benefits including arts and culture, fitness and wellness, quality time, and a workspace improvement credit.
• Education and learning stipend for conferences, courses, and coaching.
• 6 weeks of paid vacation (30 working days).
• Budget for traveling to other offices if remote, plus an annual company offsite.
• $500 home office stipend to set up workspace.

Work Arrangement

• Cohere is remote-friendly with offices in Toronto, London, New York City, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and Seoul, with more opening soon.
• For those in the office: daily lunch program, snacks, and regular community and social events.
• For those not near an office: co-working benefit to work alongside others in your city.