Government Relations Officer

Job description / Role

Description

Sunreef Yachts is seeking an experienced Public Relations Officer (PRO) to manage end-to-end government relations, maritime permits, immigration processes, workforce compliance, and fleet administration for our Ras Al Khaimah shipyard operations.

This is a critical operational role ensuring uninterrupted shipyard activity, smooth yacht releases, legal compliance, and workforce mobility at scale. The PRO will work closely with HR, Operations, Security, Production, and RMC authorities, and will be supported by a Junior PRO.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a PRO / Government Relations Officer in the UAE
• Mandatory experience managing large workforces (1000+ employees)
• Strong knowledge of:
  • UAE immigration and labor law
  • MOHRE procedures
  • RMC / port authority regulations
• Experience in shipyards, construction, manufacturing, or industrial environments is a strong advantage
• High level of organization, follow-up, and accountability
• Ability to manage multiple time-critical processes simultaneously
• 
  Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Key Responsibilities

Government & RMC Authorities Liaison
Act as the primary liaison with:

• Ras Al Khaimah Maritime City (RMC)
• Immigration
• MOHRE
• Police, Ports & Customs authorities

Ensure full compliance with UAE labor, immigration, and maritime regulations. Maintain strong working relationships with all relevant government entities.

Boat Release Permits & Shipping Coordination
Manage boat release permissions from RMC and relevant authorities. Coordinate documentation for:

• Yacht movements
• Sea trials
• Deliveries
• Shipping and export clearances

Liaise with shipping agents, port authorities, and internal teams to ensure timely approvals. Prevent operational delays caused by missing or expired permits.

Visa & Immigration Management (Large Workforce Scale)
Full responsibility for employment visas for approximately 1,000 employees. Manage:

• Entry permits
• Residency visas
• Medical tests
• Fingerprints and biometrics
• Emirates ID (EID) applications

Medical Insurance
Track visa validity, renewals, and compliance timelines. Handle visa cancellations related to resignations, terminations, and end-of-service cases. Maintain accurate and up-to-date immigration records.

Gate Pass Management
End-to-end responsibility for:

• Gate pass applications
• Renewals
• Expiry tracking

Ensure all employees have valid access to:

• Shipyard
• RMC zones

Proactively manage expiries to avoid access restrictions or production delays. Coordinate with Security and RMC for access control compliance.

Accommodation & Workforce Allocation
Assign blue-collar employees to company accommodations. Coordinate accommodation availability, occupancy, and movements. Ensure alignment between:

• HR records
• Gate passes
• Accommodation allocation

Support relocations, transfers, and workforce reshuffling as required.

• Registration renewals
• Mulkiya renewals
• Insurance renewals
• Annual testing

Coordinate and track:

• Vehicle servicing
• Maintenance schedules
• Compliance with UAE regulations

Maintain accurate vehicle records and ensure no vehicle is operated with expired documents. Liaise with suppliers, service centers, and authorities as required.

Team Management
Supervise and guide a Junior PRO. Delegate tasks effectively while retaining accountability. Train junior staff on procedures, systems, and compliance requirements. Ensure continuity, accuracy, and reliability of documentation and trackers.

Tracking, Reporting & Compliance
Maintain detailed trackers for:

• Visas
• Gate passes
• Medicals
• Emirates IDs
• Visa cancellations
• Company vehicles, services, registrations, and renewals

Provide regular status reports to HR and Management. Anticipate risks related to expiries, compliance gaps, or authority delays. Ensure audits and inspections are passed without issues.

Benefits

• Key operational role within a leading international yacht manufacturer
• High level of responsibility and ownership
• Opportunity to manage complex, large-scale operations
• Support of a Junior PRO
• Competitive compensation package
• Long-term career stability and growth
• Professional, multicultural working environment

Why Join Sunreef Yachts?

• Be central to shipyard operations and workforce mobility
• Play a critical role in ensuring smooth yacht deliveries and production continuity
• Work with a globally recognized brand known for luxury, innovation, and engineering excellence
• Key operational role within a leading international yacht manufacturer
• High level of responsibility and ownership
• Opportunity to manage complex, large-scale operations
• Support of a Junior PRO
• Competitive compensation package
• Long-term career stability and growth
• Professional, multicultural working environment