General Services and Administration Support Lead

apartmentIMI placeAbu Dhabi calendar_month 

Job Description

IMI is a privately-owned, global media group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with operations across 19 countries. Our portfolio includes renowned media brands such as Sky News Arabia as part of a joint venture with Sky UK, The National, Al-Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, and a minority stake in Euronews.

Additionally, through Redbird IMI, our joint venture with Redbird Capital Partners, we invest in leading media, sports, and entertainment brands worldwide. We bring the world closer by sharing stories that open minds, connect people, and enrich lives, empowering audiences with news, knowledge, and factual entertainment.

Role Summary:

The General Services and Administration Support Lead is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing two key units, Government Relations and Administration & Support Services, ensuring full UAE regulatory compliance and exceptional internal support.
The role drives strategic initiatives, fosters cross-functional coordination, and cultivates a high-performance culture. It manages all government processes (visas, labor, licensing) and employee services (onboarding, travel, office operations).

Additionally, the role champions digital transformation, risk management, and builds strong external partnerships to uphold operational excellence and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Government Relations and Compliance
  • Oversee the end-to-end execution of all government-related services, including but not limited to visa applications, residency renewals, employment permits, Emirates ID processing, and commercial licensing for employees and organizational entities.
  • Ensure full compliance with all UAE labor, immigration, and business licensing regulations, while maintaining meticulous records and audit trails in alignment with internal governance standards.
  • Servewithout limitationas the principal liaison with UAE government entities, embassies, consulates, free zones, and other regulatory authorities, ensuring that all interactions reflect the organization&aposs values and are conducted with the highest level of professionalism and accountability.
  • Monitor and interpret changes in relevant laws, decrees, and regulations, and proactively update internal compliance policies, operational procedures, and team practices to mitigate legal risks and ensure continued alignment with government mandates.
  • Develop and implement contingency and escalation protocols to manage urgent or high-risk government-related issues, including visa delays, policy shifts, labor disputes, or crisis scenarios impacting employee mobility or business continuity.
Employee Services and Benefits
  • Design, implement, and continuously manage comprehensive employee support programs that contribute to employee satisfaction and retention, including relocation services, onboarding logistics, corporate discount partnerships, and value-added services.
  • Collaborate closely with Human Resources and Corporate Communications to ensure employee services are effectively promoted, well-understood, and consistently delivered in a professional and timely manner.
  • Lead initiatives to streamline and enhance employee-related logistics such as business travel arrangements, hotel bookings, airport transportation, and onboarding experiences, with a focus on cost control, service quality, and operational efficiency.
  • Champion the delivery of a seamless and welcoming onboarding journey for new hires and secondees, ensuring that all logistical and governmental touchpoints are handled with care and precision.
Administration and Support Services Operations
  • Oversee the daily operations of all administrative and support functions, ensuring the smooth delivery of services such as workspace planning, reception services, office consumables, service desk management, and floor support.
  • Lead efforts to develop and implement standardized procedures and policies across administrative functions, aiming to increase operational efficiency, employee productivity, and inter-departmental coordination.
  • Manage vendor relationships, performance metrics, and contractual service-level agreements, ensuring that all partners deliver consistent, cost-effective, and high-quality services aligned with company expectations and standards.
  • Drive the adoption of digital tools and platformsincluding government portals and internal systemsto streamline administrative and governmental workflows, enhance data tracking, and ensure compliance with information security standards.
Team Leadership and Development
  • Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and day-to-day management of both the Government Relations and Administration & Support Services teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and performance excellence.
  • Develop clear team goals aligned with departmental KPIs and the broader organizational strategy, and implement structured performance evaluation and development plans to drive continuous improvement.
  • Cultivate a strong sense of ownership and engagement within the team by promoting innovation, open communication, and recognition of achievements across both units.
Financial Management
  • Lead the development, planning, and control of budgets related to Government Relations and Administration & Support Services, ensuring optimal allocation of resources based on business priorities.
  • Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and implement financial controls to prevent overruns, while exploring and recommending cost-optimization measures to drive operational savings.
  • Conduct vendor pricing reviews and lead negotiations to ensure the best commercial value is achieved without compromising service standards or compliance obligations.
Administrative Support and Strategic Initiatives
  • Drive ongoing process improvement by leveraging technology, automation, and workflow enhancements to streamline administrative functions and government transactions.
  • Provide strategic input and operational support on cross-functional projects and initiatives that contribute to the organizations goals, especially those related to employee experience, policy development, or regulatory compliance.
  • Prepare regular performance dashboards, operational updates, and executive-level reports and presentations to ensure senior leadership remains informed of team progress, challenges, and recommendations.

Job Requirements:

  • Bachelors degree in business administration, Public Relations, Management, or related field.
  • 710 years of progressive experience in government relations, administrative operations, or leadership roles.
  • Strong knowledge of UAE labor laws, immigration regulations, and licensing procedures.
  • Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and negotiate service contracts.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience with multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in both Arabic and English.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving capability.
  • Strong understanding of compliance and risk management.
  • Project management and budgeting expertise.
  • High service orientation and commitment to delivering exceptional internal support.
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