Senior Government Affairs Specialist📣 Job Ad

About 51Talk and the Role

51Talk is a publicly listed multinational company and a global leader in online English education, established in 2011. We connect learners with certified teachers for personalized, one-on-one lessons, leveraging innovative technology to deliver high-quality, affordable language education worldwide. We are seeking a Senior Government Affairs Specialist to join our team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position requires 5-10 years of relevant experience.

Role Overview and Impact

The Senior Government Affairs Specialist will be instrumental in establishing and nurturing relationships with key government entities in Saudi Arabia. This role focuses on ensuring the company's operations align with local regulations, analyzing policy trends, and providing strategic support to business initiatives within the Saudi market. The specialist will act as a crucial link between 51Talk and government stakeholders, contributing to the company's sustainable growth and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain stable cooperative relationships with relevant government departments, including the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Investment (MISA), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).
• Represent the company at government meetings and industry seminars, effectively communicating the company's position and business value.
• Provide internal updates on government policy trends and offer communication strategies or contingency plans for key issues.
• Continuously track, collect, and analyze Saudi laws, regulations, and policy trends relevant to the company’s business, specifically in education, technology, foreign investment, and data protection.
• Draft policy analysis reports, interpret the impact of policies on business operations, and provide strategic recommendations to management.
• Ensure that business operations, marketing activities, and products comply with all local Saudi laws and regulatory requirements.
• Assist business departments in designing integration plans for government-led initiatives, such as educational digitalization and language training, to drive cooperation opportunities.
• Provide guidance and support during government tenders, qualification applications, and licensing processes.
• Act as a Government Affairs expert, offering consultation and training to internal teams (Marketing, Product, Legal, etc.) regarding the Saudi policy environment.
• Coordinate internal resources to respond efficiently to government inquiries or surveys.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of professional experience in government affairs, public policy, or a related field, preferably within Saudi Arabia.
• Familiarity with the Saudi government structure, decision-making processes, and the policy-making environment, backed by an established professional network.
• Strong capacity for policy research, analysis, and written reporting, particularly concerning education, technology, foreign investment, and data protection regulations.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated integrity, dedication, and a high level of professional sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Ability to work both independently and as a highly effective team collaborator.

Application Process

Candidates who meet the above requirements and are interested in contributing to a leading online education platform are encouraged to apply. We look forward to reviewing your qualifications.